Carol's Corner

A-Z Memory Verse Challenge "C" Verse

2012-01-31T20:13:00.002-06:00

Here are the verses we've learned so far....
A - As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15b

B - Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:31

and now C -

C - Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10Memorizing Ideas ~* Don't forget the food coloring idea (see pic above!)

* For families, you may want to print off a letter C here on colored cardstock. Write the verse on the "C", and hang it on your refrigerator.

* Memorize it by song.

For everyone ~ please check in and let us know you are still with us on the challenge! I love hearing who you are and where you are from!

love learning these verses, hiding them deep in my heart. I am so thankful for the words of my Lord.

Swap Time

2012-01-30T04:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday everybody! I hope you had a great weekend. I did. I got a lot of this accomplished and even go some rest too. The thing that I am most excited about is that I mailed off my Pink Swap Package.

This year I was selected to participate in Monograms and Manicures Pink Swap. Each person selected is pair up with another blogger and then they send them 5 pink items. My partner is Val from New Jersey. She has a wonderful blog called Wine and Summer. She's a brand new blogger. She'd love it if you check out her blog. Anyways, I had such a blast shopping for pink items for her. I'm such a bargain shopper and I'm super excited that I got some great deals! I hope she likes her stuff. I'll tell you what I sent her and what she sent me as soon as we both receive our goodies. Have you ever participated in a blog swap before? is there any ideas/activities you'd like to participate in to get to know your blogging buddies better?

Friday Fragments 1-27-11

2012-01-26T21:04:00.001-06:00

1. This Saturday will move back into our house after living with my mother in law for almost three months. Our foundation and plumbing is finally fixed! Thank you Jesus! I have learned a lot from living with my mother in law. It's all good.-I promise.and I'll be sharing it soon! :)

2. My hubby is leaving Monday to go on a business trip to New Hampshire for a week starting Monday. He and I haven't been apart since we got married 3 and a half years ago. I'm glad for little time away but I'm already missing him too! (and the crazy part is-he has't even gone yet! :) LOL

3. Work is keeping me busy. For those of you who don't know. I am substitute teacher who is currently working in a severe and profound special education classroom. It's very challenging but also very rewarding.

4. Today one of my students (I'll call her Lucy) "discovered" bubbles. I think it might have been the first time she's ever seen them! She doesn't talk but her joy and laughter when they floated by her warmed my heart! It's such a blessing to me to get to love on and work with these kids

5. Unfortunately my students don't always have the best hygiene skills. Between the crazy Texas weather and it being cold and flu season everyone it seems has been sick. Unfortunately, I think it may be my turn. I'm gonna get of this thing, take some medicine and go to bed.
Have a great weekend everybody!

A-Z scriputre memory challenge "B"

2012-01-25T04:00:00.000-06:00

This week is the second week of the scripture memory challange. Okay tecinally week 3 . I ment to blog about this last week when she posted the verse for the letter B but life happened. So without further delay let me show you what B's verse is:

B - Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved... Acts 16:31

I've discovered some great ways to help me memorize the scriptures. One way that I really like is I type the scripture on Window 7's Sticky Notes. That way I can always see it on my computer. Even when I'm not directly looking at it I can still see it out of the corner of my eye.
Another grate tool for helping me memorize scripture is a post it note. I like to write the memory verse on a post it note and stick it to the steering wheel of my car. Great place to help me keep His word hidden in my heart.
Here are some ideas that Cindy shared with us to help memorize:
* Write the verse on a mirror with a dry erase marker. (This seemed to work well for lots of participants!)

* Instead of putting the verse on a note card, type it into your phone. (Recommendation from an A to Z friend - thanks Silly Mama!)
* For families, you may want to print off a letter B on colored cardstock. Write the verse on the "B", and hang it on your refrigerator.

**Feel free to share your favorite tips, ideas, even pictures. I'd love to share your suggestions and/or link to you in the weeks to come!

Questions to Ponder/Discussion Ideas~
* What does this verse mean to me? to our family?? Spend time reflecting, journaling, praying, and discussing how Acts 16:31 can help shape you and your family in 2012.

* Read the story of how the Phillipian Jailer (& his family) placed their trust in God and immediately expressed that faith by being baptized (Acts 16:25-34). Share your experience of when you placed your faith in Jesus, and when you were baptized (if applicable).

It's not to late to join us for the a-z scripture memory challenge. Find out more here.

Motivational Monday 1-23-11

2012-01-23T04:00:00.000-06:00

Friday Favorite: Healing Chicken Soup

2012-01-20T04:00:00.000-06:00

The weather in Texas has been crazier than ever lately. With the crazy temps and lots of sick students. This recipe has become one of my Favorites. I make this at the first sign of not feeling well.

The reasons why Chicken soup is healing

Soup has anti-inflammatory properties that helped sore throats and helped stop the movement of neutrophils (white blood cells that encourage the flow of mucus that accumulates in the lungs and nose).

steam is a real benefit. Sipping the hot soup and breathing in the steam helps clear up congestion. This can also be said for many hot soups.

Spices that are often added to chicken soup, such as garlic and pepper(all ancient treatments for respiratory diseases), work the same way as modern cough medicines, thinning mucus and making breathing easier.

chicken soup contains drug-like agents similar to those in modern cold medicines. For example, an amino acid released from chicken during cooking chemically resembles the drug acetylcysteine, prescribed for bronchitis and other respiratory problems.

Chicken Soup puts needed fluids back into the body.

Curative properties

According to food historians chicken soup was prescribed as a cure for the common cold in Ancient Egypt. The 10th century Persian physician Avicenna referred to the curative powers of chicken soup in his writings. In the 12th century the Jewish sage Maimonides wrote that chicken soup “has virtue in rectifying corrupted humours”, and recommended it as nutrition for convalescents; Maimonides also particularly recommended chicken soup for people suffering from hemorrhoids and the early stages of leprosy.

Modern research conducted by Dr. Stephen Rennard, professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine, and his colleagues at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha suggests that there might be some scientific basis for the belief in the curative powers of chicken soup. They found that the particular blend of nutrients and vitamins in traditional chicken soup can slow the activity of certain white blood cells. This may have an anti-inflammatory effect that could hypothetically lead to temporary ease from symptoms of illness. Their research was published in 2000 in the scientific journal Chest. This was not, however, an in vivo clinical trial, and did not demonstrate that chicken soup was the best foodstuff for this purpose.

Because it is simple to prepare, relatively cheap, nutritious, and easily digested, chicken soup is a good food for winter convalescents. Sipping warm soup can also clear the sinuses because of the steam ventilating into the nasal passages, serving as a natural decongestant, which also relieves cold and flu symptoms. Last, but not least, chicken soup can be beneficial due to the placebo effect of comfort foods.

Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Healing Directions

1. Stew your chicken. Most of the time I don't do this. I just buy chicken breast from the store. Add to 1 can of chicken broth

2. Add to simmering broth:

2 large onion diced

3 celery ribs diced (seeds are good too)

3 carrots diced

1/2 stick of butter

3 cloves of chopped garlic

juice of 1/2 a lemon

salt & pepper

If you want a really stronge /rich flavor:

Nows the time to add...

Add 3 or4 bouillon cubes

or 1 can of chicken stock.

(Note: if you are cooking this for someone who is already sick.... their taste buds may not be up to par and may need the soup to be stronger in flavor so they can taste it better.) Getting them to eat it is the key to getting well. It may be to strong for you but just right for them. You can always add water to your own bowl if it's to strong for you personally.

3. Cut chicken up into large chunks.

Replace chicken back into simmering broth.

Add 1 cup of large diced potatoes

Cover with water

Cook for another 30 minutes

4.Last 10 minutes of cooking:

Important Healing Herbs

Add 1 bunch of chopped parsley to soup.

If you have tyme, add 1/2 teaspoon.

If you have sage, add 1/2 teaspoon.

If you have basil, add 1/2 teaspoon.

pinch of poultry seasoning

Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper!!

Cook for 10 more minutes

2rd Day: Left overs

Re-warm the left over Chicken Soup

Add 4 ounces of egg noodles to the soup.

1 can of broth

1 cup of water

It's now Chicken Noodle Soup!

The Chicken Noodle Soup

will taste the best on this 2nd day!

3rd Day: Left overs

Note: Changing the soup slightly each day will add variety to the soup so it doesn't seem so boreing while keeping the regiment of someone eating it. This soup is packed full of vitamins and minerals so the more they are willing to eat, the better. If you go for a 3rd day, try adding a can of "Cream of celery soup" to thicken it up and add a new feeling in the mouth.

And if you have been feeling under the weather....

by now you should be feeling the effects of healing soup.

Book Review: The Huguenot Sword

2012-01-17T20:08:00.000-06:00

About The Book: In the time of Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu, when being a Protestant could mean death, The Huguenot Sword roamed the streets of Paris by night, defending those faithful to the young heretical religion. The nobility scorned them as ruffians. To the oppressed Protestants they were saviors, but to the Cardinal’s Guards they were a pestilence needing to be terminated.

The situation becomes desperate when those in power launch a bold plan to destroy the group. One wrong move can be fatal. But the ordeal of Paris pales in comparison to the possible annihilation of the faith and people at the Battle of La Rochelle.

My Review of the Book:

I was first attracted to this book because I'm a fan of Shawn Lamb's work. I also recently found out that my mother's side of the family were Huguenots.This story gives life to the history of the Hugenots and well as their plight. The story reminded me of The Three Musketeers, the Scarlet Pimpernel with a little bit of the Princess Bride thrown in. Shawn Lamb does an excellent job of exploring how young adults view faith and how they ultimately must decide what they believe and how their beliefs will affect the rest of their lives. I'm thankful the author put a character list in the front of the book. I often got the names mixed up.

Overall I think the Huguenot Sword is an excellent read! It's a great mix of action, adventure and faith!

About the Author:

Shawn Lamb has written for children's television and has won several screenwriting awards, including a Certificate of Merit from the American Screenwriters Association. She is active in various church ministries and has created her own curriculum based upon Proverbs 31. Shawn lives outside Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband of 25 years and their college-aged daughter.

Click here to watch a preview of the book on YouTube
Click here to read my reviews of her Allon series

Crafty or not so much

2012-01-16T11:30:00.000-06:00

January is National Crafting month. If you're like me-every month is National Crafting month. If I had my way-every day would be national crafting day! Evil laugh. I love to craft! I just find it fun and to be honest-therapeutic. I have to be so logical , practical so left brained at work. Not so when I'm crafting! The right brain completely takes over! Yeah baby! Those of you know me-know that I am VERY Right brained! LOL

Webster's dictionary defines crafting as an an art, trade, or occupation requiring special skill, especially manual skill. Crafting can be anything from knitting, sewing, scrapbooking, painting, making models and so much more. My favorite is paper crafting and drawing. I could spend hours and hours making scrapbook pages or cards. Yes basically cards. I love to look a names on our church's prayer list and send them cards. I believe it blesses me as much as it blesses them!

If you haven't ever tried crafting I suggest you try it. It's such a great way to relax (unless you're extremely left brained like my hubby-in which it stresses him out-BIG TIME) and let your creative juices flow.

Do you craft? If not is there some craft you'd like to try?

Ginger Tea

2012-01-13T04:00:00.000-06:00

Hey Everyone! I just wanted to let ya'll know that I am going to start a segment called Friday Favorites. It where I'm gonna talk about my favorite things. Today I'm gonna start with one of my favorite types of tea. Due to health issues I have to limit my caffine intake. Some days I due better than others. Until recently I couldn't really stand to drink herbal tea until recently. It was just bland. Then I came across some information that caught my attention about ginger tea. Here's what I found:

Ginger Tea ~ The Universal Tonic

The benefits of ginger are nearly endless. Its healing effects are most often associated with settling an upset stomach, but ginger does so much more!

Gingerols (the compounds that give ginger its pungent flavor) in ginger have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Study after study shows rapid reduction of pain and inflammation in arthritis patients with minimal amounts of this healing root. Those same chemicals also slow the growth of certain types of cancer (colo-rectal and ovarian) cells in humans.

Ginger also promotes immune health with its strong antioxidant effects, cleanses the system of toxins, and even promotes respiratory health, making it ideal for winter months when cold and flu germs are everywhere!

This multi-purpose root also reduces cravings for sugary sweets... a huge plus right after all those holiday treats!

Well after seeing this article I was usurious so I decided to give ginger tea a try. I was amazed as soon as I pour the water on the ginger root. The aroma was instantly soothing. After a few days of drinking ginger tea twice a day I noticed I started feeling better and about a week later I noticed that my sugar cravings were gone! I still eat sweets way to much but at least i don't crave them now.

So without further ado here's my recipe for ginger tea:

Ginger Tea
8 ounces boiling purified water
1 to 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger root (peeled)
Thin slice of lemon, optional

If you need sweetener, use pure organic honey or pure maple syrup or other natural sweetener of your choice, but try to keep sugar low.

Add ginger to boiling water and allow it to steep for up to 5 minutes. Strain if you wish, or drink with ginger bits in tea (they are good for you!). Add lemon and/or sweetener of choice, if using.

Sip away and find out exactly why this simple elixir is so healing...

Reflections on A-Z Scripture Memory Challenge: Letter A

2012-01-11T04:00:00.000-06:00

When I started this Challenge I had no idea how much it would affect me. I'm not really surprised though. We all know God's word is powerful! The verse for Letter A is : As for me and my house, We will servve the Lord. Joshua 24:15. Simple to memorize-no biggie. However, when I started meditating on the scripture I was blown away. was struck by the word serve. To do somthing to benifit others. To serve others as you would yourself. The Lord has been speaking to me about this in EVERYTHING I do! From how I treat my students in class, to how I treat my mother in law, to how I treat the cashier at the local gocery store. All we do show we love our Lord.! I will be the first to admit that I many times fall short but I am thankful for His grace and mercy that allows me to keep on striving for the goal.
What does this verse mean to you?

Oh My Goodness! :)

2012-01-09T04:00:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to share the good news with all my wonderful blog readers. I'm being published! The Hometown Journey magazine is going to print an article I've written. I can't believe it! I'm so excited and pumped! This is one of the goals on my Bucket List! Lord I give you all honor and glory for being able to share this with others! The Hometown Journey magazine is a local magazine that cover's events in Southeast Texas. You can find out more about the Hometown Journey Magazine by clicking here
Have you reached any of your goals on your buck list? If so what was it?

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Christmas 2011: Adopted by Love

2012-01-06T10:47:00.000-06:00

Sharon holding up her baking soda less cookies!

We met at church. I say it was a divine connection. Sharon is an older lady in our church. She's a former teacher,, love animals and loves to garden. Sound like someone else you know? :) I don't remember when I first met her I just know that we started getting to know each other during Vacation Bible School. Well she has no daugther's of her own. In case you didn't know my parents live in Arkansas and our relationship is well let's just say complicated in the least. Thank you Jesus that it's getting better though. Well what do most mother daughter's do during the holidays. No not fight but make cookies and go Christmas shopping! That's exactly what Sharon and I did. We made cookies and went shopping! It was so much fun! Sharon and I laugh until we cried! We even were having such a good time that she forgot to put baking soda in her molassas cookies. We decided to adpot each other. Just like love you can't keep it to yourself. Sharon and I adopted an elderly lady from our church who has no family. I call her grandma.

Do you have friends that you believe that God has put into your life for a specific purpose? Do you have friends who are more like family?

New Year Resolutions

2012-01-04T04:00:00.000-06:00

New Year's Resolutions

Every year it's the same. We make resolutions or goals for the New Year. We reach some of our goals while we fail miserably at others. At least that's been my experience. My friend Angela over at Just a Work in Progress said it best when she said " Everything we need to know to live our lives can be found in God's Word." This is so simple yet so profound to me! My spending time with Him and being in His Word -He will help me to be the best I can be in every area of my life!
I won't have to worry about dieting, being more financially responsible, managing my time better...etc etc . One of my favorite songs describes dependance on God like this
I know I'm not strong enough to beeverything that I'm supposed to be.I give up.I'm not strong enough.Hands of mercy won't you cover me.Lord right now I'm asking you to beStrong enough For the both of us

(by Matthew West Copied from MetroLyrics.com)

The Bible says "I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) As I draw close to Him-He will help me do what I need to do!

Won't you join me in 2012 in drawing close to Him and making this the best year ever!

Motivational Monday 1-2-2012

2012-01-02T04:00:00.000-06:00

A to Z memory verse challenge for 2012

2012-01-01T15:02:00.003-06:00

One of my goals for 2012 is draw closer to God and dig into his word. One way I am doing that is by participating in She Sparkles 2012 Scripture Memory Challenge 2012

Every other week she will be posting a memory verse for us to learn (in ABC order of course!) along with memorizing ideas and questions to ponder. In addition to this great challenge she's having a great give away!

The verse for the letter A is: Joshua 24:15b
A - As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Won't you join me in this great challenge!?

Friday Fragments on Sunday plus prayer request

2012-01-01T14:31:00.004-06:00

1. It's been a month and a half since we moved out of our house due to foundation issues.

2. Thankfully my mother in law and I are getting a long better. Still it's hard living in someone else's house.

3. My husband about a month ago was made lead man for this one project. This is the first project he's been lead man on. He's super excited about the chance to prove himself.

4. Unfortunately since he's lead man, he's been working 7 days a week with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas and one other day. He's become a zombie!

5. My dog Sophie has loved staying at her grandma's but she has virtually forgotten me. :(

6. Rosie is still staying at our house (mom-in-law doesn't like cats) and is doing great except for being lonely..

I am trying to make the best out of this situation but it's getting rough. I'd like you to ask you to send up positive thoughts and/or prayers for my hubby,, mother-in-law, and hubby right now. Pray that our house will be fixed soon. Pray that for my marriage. Pray that we will have wisdom, patience, and grace. Thanks so much guys! You are the best.

I can't wait to share with all the rest that's been going on!

LOVE

Top 10 Christmas Tradions

2011-12-21T13:13:00.000-06:00

Here are my top ten Christmas traditions. They are in no particular order.

10. The Nutcracker Ballet. Even though I have never seen the ballet live I adore the story in the music.One time when I was younger I imagined a ballet horse company preforming the Nutcracker live! It was so cool! :) I also love the nutcracker motion picture. It is a move based on the ballet and is produced by famous children's writer and illustrator Maurice Sendack.

9. Advent/Advent Wreath/-I have to admit that I never knew anything about Advent until I started attending a Lutheran church but I think it's such a great idea/tradition. Here what the LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (the church I attend) says about advent.

Advent specifically focuses on Christ's "coming," but Christ's coming manifests itself among us in three ways--past, present, and future. The readings which highlight Christ's coming in the past focus on the Old Testament prophecies of his incarnation at Bethlehem. The readings which highlight Christ's coming in the future focus on his "second coming" on the Last Day at the end of time. And the readings which highlight Christ's coming in the present focus on his ministry among us through Word and Sacrament today.

The traditional use of Advent candles (sometimes held in a wreath) originated in eastern Germany even prior to the Reformation. As this tradition came down to us by the beginning of this century, it involves three purple candles and one pink candle. You can find out more about the LCMS believes about Advent by clicking here

8. Jesse Tree- This is a new tradition to me but I've really enjoyed what I have done of it so far. The Jesse Tree is similar to an advent calendar but instead of turning back a calendar flap, we read stories from the Old Testament from Adam and Eve to the Messiah, each story pointing to the coming promise, the incredibly impossible gift, the Glorious Christ.After each reading of another

promise fulfilled, we’ll hang the ornament of each story on the branches of a tree, our very

own Jesse Tree, a testament to our covenant-keeping, people-passionate God, whose love

unfolds like an endless gift down through thousands of years. Because we are not in our home this holiday season I haven't been putting the ornaments on our Tree. But the devotional has been fantastic! If you would like more information about the Jesse Tree you can check out Ann Voskamp's blog

7. Cookies!-No holiday season would be complete without wonderful Christmas cookies! This year I've been taking some of my old holiday favorites and trying to convert the recipes to gluten free ones. Some of them had been successful and others not so much. But at least I'm learning! :)

6. Christmas Music-I love the old traditional Christmas songs like Rudolph and Frosty and so many of the other songs that we've heard for years. It seems like each year a different song become more poignant and meaningful. This year my personal favorite is I'll Be Home For Christmas.

5. Christmas Lights-Every year after Christmas Eve service at church my family and I would though town and see everyone's Christmas lights. My sister and I would sing Christmas music at the top of our lungs and everyone would have a jolly good time. My hubby and I have adopted this tradition as well.

4. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service-This is my favorite service of the year-besides Easter. We only have one service that night and after the pastor delivers a sermon we take communion and then we all light candles and then sing "Silent Night". It's so beautiful to see the candles and hear people singing in English, Spanish and German. It's just a little glimpse of what Heaven will be like

3. Christmas Carols- Now I'm not talking about Frosty, The Grinch and Rudolph-I mean Christmas Hymns! Silent Night, Joy to the World, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear and so many others! Have you ever read the lyrics. They are so powerful and meaningful.! If you havent' ever looked at the lyrics I strongly encourage you to read and think about them..

2. Opening Presents on Christmas Eve-Tradition started. with my parents. They used to tell us that Santa started out at our house because it was the house with the best kids (Ha! Ha!). Then we kept the tradition after we found out the truth about Santa. My hubby and I keep the tradition so we don't have to get up early on Christmas Day! :)

1 Giving- Growning up my parents always adopted a family from the Angel Tree. I honestly didn't get it until on Christmas I got to help deliver the gifts one year. I couldn't believe how little the family had and how appreciative they were of what they got. As a teen at the time it really helped put things in perspective for me. This year my husband and I decided this year to start this tradition with our family. You'll hear more about that in a blog post coming soon.

I hope to get a couple of more post written before Christmas but if I don't I wanna wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Friday Fragments 12-16-11

2011-12-16T09:42:00.001-06:00

1. The foundation on our house is finally fixed. Unfortunately, our broken pluming still is not.

2. We are still staying at my mother in laws. My mother in law has been very sweet and accommodating but I'm just not comfortable there. What's wrong with me!?

3. My blood sugar has been really low lately. not sure what's going on with that. However, I have discovered when my blood sugar gets low I get really REALLY anxious. Not good :(

4. My cat does not like being left at our house (my mom in law is allergic and I cant bring her). She barks at me (short, angry meows ) every time I see her for the first 10-15 minutes

5. It so irritating and frustrating having half your stuff at your house and everything else at your in laws! It's been a challenge trying to stay organized with all of it!

6. Heaven gained to extra special angels this week. Both of which I'm sure I'll blog about next week. Rest in peace Mickey and Dr. Stafford.

7. . I have a question for everyone. Would you feel self conscious cooking in someone else kitchen. You all know I love to cook but I hate cooking in my mom in laws kitchen. I don't know what it is-I just feel self conscious and nervous. Would you? Any suggestions to get over it?

8. My mom fell again and messed up her knee replacement. She will have to wear a permanent brace the rest of her life on that knee now. She is going to have it repaired one last time on January 6.

9. I'm not sure why but my husband mom doesn't decorate for Christmas. I've decorated some at our house but I don't get home as much as I want. I'm learning that Christmas is really all in the heart

10. Please keep me and my hubby in your prayers. This whole not being our house has been very stressful on our marriage. I am fighting not to give into depression from everything going on. I know God is giving me strength. Thank you for the prayers. You guys are the best

Book Review: From Gluac to Freedom (Book 3 in the Volga Flows Forever Series)

2011-12-13T20:33:00.003-06:00

I am reviewing this book for MediaGuests.

About the Book:

In my darkest hours, when worry and despair about the future of my family blankets my soul, I hear my father’s voice, giving me hope. On the day they dragged him to the gulag, he had looked at my mother with courage in his eyes, and said, “We are eternal; our faith, like the Volga, flows forever.”

The heroine of this powerful work, Katya, is a bright, energetic and resourceful Volga German girl, a worthy descendant of those first pioneers of the steppe we learned to know in the second volume. Katya is free to reveal, through her feminine creator, thoughts and circumstances often hidden to men. Sigrid artfully illuminates dress, colors, textures, foods and challenges as Katya embarks upon an adventurous escape from a gulag on the arctic tundra.

My Review:
This is the third book in the Volga Flows Forever Series and my favorite of the three. This is a truly emotional story of the Katya and the persecution her family endures under Russians. First under the czar and the under Stalin and the Communist regime. I felt like I was there with Katya the entire time.This is my favorite story of the trilogy. Sigrid Weidenwber did a wonderful job of telling the story of her life and Russia in a beautiful, heartfelt, and entertaining way. I recommend these books to anyone who enjoys history or loves a good story. Here are the links to my reviews of book one and two.

About the Author
Born in Germany in 1941, Sigrid Weidenwber remembers the horrific aftermath of fascism. At the end of the war, she found herself living under communism. After the Berlin Wall was built, she managed to escape the repressive environment with the help of friends and a French passport. To this day she does not speak French.
She holds degrees in medical technology, psychology and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Concordia University of Portland, Oregon for her trilogy “The Volga Flows Forever.” In her trilogy she brings to life Catherine the Great in her multiple roles as monarch, woman, lover, mother, grandmother and head of the general staff of the army, in Volume one. The following two historical volumes deal with the Volga Germans brought to Russia by Catherine’s edict.
Three years ago she moved to Santa Rosa Valley, California from Portland Oregon. She has passionately embraced California together with her family that also resides here.

My Top 10 Christmas Wishes

2011-12-07T20:48:00.001-06:00

Today I am linking up with Beth Zimmerman over at Beth: A Work in Progress for her Top Ten Thursday.This week she's asking us what top ten things we would want from Santa if we could get whatever we wanted.

Well I could certain use a magic sack from Santa this year. Usually I am all about the holidays. From decorating the whole house, to baking and making homemade gift. However due to all the recent craziness I'm just tired, sad and in pain. Oh yeah and not to mention broke. Since we are not staying at our house I'm not sure if we will have a tree. However, I did get out mini tree out hooked up today when I went home. I wish I could bring the tree back with me. I'm not sure what my mother in law would say about that. Anyways, here's my top ten Christmas wishes for 2011

1. That would get our house repaired quickly and we'd get settled back in.
2. I wish that my health would be totally and completely restored (I'm tired of being sick all the time!)
3. I wish our church would be healed and restored and being bring in the lost by sharing the love of Jesus with them.
4. I wish we could get this crazy mess regarding my student lans resolved soon (please pray)
5. I wish I was closer to my parents and siblings relationship wise.
6. I wish I could find a full time job somewhere so my husband wouldn't worry so much about finances and where I wouldn't have to more than one job just to make nds meet.
7. I wish we were able to have a child of our own.
8. I wish everyone would come to know the undconditonal love espcially the unconditional love of our Savior
9. I wish that time would heal all hearts.
10. (Beth this was excatly what I wanted to say but your way sounded better so I copied it :) I wish for you, my precious friends … friends, followers, fame … but more than that … I wish you love! I wish the comforts of family, friends, home! I wish you faith! I wish that each of you would be touched by a special measure of grace this Christmas. Healing for those who are hurting. Peace for those who are sad. Calm for those in the storms of life. I wish you a touch of the Master’s hand. I wish you Jesus!

Book Review-A Question of Sovereignty (Allon Book 4)

2011-12-05T19:57:00.001-06:00

About the Book:
He shall be Allon’s greatest king; of such a heritage as to rule Guardian and mortal alike – so says prophecy about the man to succeed Ellis, but he delays finding a husband for his daughter and heir, Ellan. Finally, he decides on Prince Sullivan of Gorham. Unknown, is that an age-old enemy is Sullivan’s mother and accompanies him to Waldron, while Ellan’s own ambition has waited for the right time to blossom. Ellan, Sullivan and his mother use subtlety to push the royal family to the brink. Even the Guardians are impacted by their dark machinations. Only Tristine and Darius suspect his mother’s identity. But their efforts to warn Ellis fail, reduces the Guardians in numbers and forces Tristine to flee Waldron. Determined to save her father, Tristine meets two unlikely allies: a blacksmith and a crippled beggar. But how can they stop a coup? And what will become of the Great King?

My Review:
I have to admit, I doubted if Shawn Lamb could really keep the story going and interesting for 4 books. Well I was wrong! Yet again Shaw Lamb did an excellent job of keeping her readers engaged and entertained. Once I got started reading the book I couldn't put it down! I'm glad she answered some questions I had from previous books in the series. I also love the suprises she puts in this book. I totally did not see some of them coming! Yet again Shawn Lamb has written another hit!

About the Author:
Shawn lives in Antioch, Tennessee, just outside Nashville with her husband of nearly 25 years and their college age daughter, Briana. Shawn pursued her love of writing and took it to a professional level, writing for the 1980s Filmation animated series "BRAVESTARR". Along the way, she won several screenwriting awards, including a Certificate of Merit from the American Screenwriters Association.

Taking the skills of writing for televison along with experience of working with kids and teens, she began work on the series ALLON. The results are stories of faith to believe and overcome obstacles, commitment to a cause, and the endurance to see it through to the end.

Book Review: The Volga Flows Forever

2011-12-03T08:10:00.001-06:00

About the Book:
The Meiningers had set out for Russia seeking to improve their lives, to escape the political and religious turmoil often surrounding their otherwise picturesque German homes and villages. They dreamed of the faraway place awaiting them. They colored the soil beneath the vast steppe rich and black in their minds ready to be tilled. And there would be a neat little house ready to receive them. In their wildest dreams, they could not have imagined what actually awaited their arrival. There were no houses, no fields nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. It was almost evening; they were hungry, wet and cold and felt like orphaned children.
These German immigrants and their descendants civilized this bleak Russian frontier, converted the harsh steppe into fields of waving grain dotted with wind-driven flour mills, and in this isolated place, developed a culture that was uniquely their own. They survived savage attacks of marauding tribes, the unpredictable often harsh climate, and the vagaries of tsarist edicts. Sigrid tells the fascinating story of these remarkable people in The Volga Germans.
The Volga Germans is the second volume in Sigrid Weidenweber’s trilogy The Volga Flows Forever. Catherine, the first volume, brings to life the fascinating historical character of Catherine the Great who invited her native countrymen to settle the Russian frontier. In the final volume, From Gulag to Freedom, she follows the Volga Germans through the hardships of collectivization and deportation during the Soviet years to finally immigrate to the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.

My Review
I loved the first book in this series (you can read my review of it here). I was really wondering could the second book be as good as the first. Well it was! Sigrid Weidenweber outdid herself! I thought the story flowed better in this book. Again I love the detail she put into the book. She really put in a lot of time and effort researching the story and it shows! As a history buff I loved learning more about Russian history-particularly that of the serfs. I was able to draw a lot of correlation between the life of the sefs and that of early Americans.

The Author

Born in Germany in 1941, Sigrid Weidenwber remembers the horrific aftermath of fascism. At the end of the war, she found herself living under communism. After the Berlin Wall was built, she managed to escape the repressive environment with the help of friends and a French passport. To this day she does not speak French.
She holds degrees in medical technology, psychology and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Concordia University of Portland, Oregon for her trilogy “The Volga Flows Forever.” In her trilogy she brings to life Catherine the Great in her multiple roles as monarch, woman, lover, mother, grandmother and head of the general staff of the army, in Volume one. The following two historical volumes deal with the Volga Germans brought to Russia by Catherine’s edict.
Three years ago she moved to Santa Rosa Valley, California from Portland Oregon. She has passionately embraced California together with her family that also resides here.

I never leave His hand

2011-12-02T17:26:00.001-06:00

Most of you know I have ALOT going on right now. I'm just so thankful and blessed that He is with me through it all! I just wanted to share a picture I drew a few days ago. It show's how I feel right now. I hope you enjoy it.

I also want to share a song with you that has ministered to me during this time. It's called Your Hands by JJ Heller. Thanks everyone for your love, prayers and support. I'll write more soon!

Love, Hugs and Prayers

Crazy Holidays

2011-11-29T10:57:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was bittersweet. My husbands great uncle passed away just before the Thanksgiving. It was so good to see everyone and remember uncle Lewis. We thankful for life and memories.Things have be once continues snow ball since then. Thankfully God has given me his peace as long as I choose to recieve it.
We had noticed a leak in the guest bathroom. My hubby turned the water off and promised to fix it after the holidays. Well when we got home the floor out of bathroom had fallen because of the drought and the leak! We are staying with my mother in law until the matter is fixed.
Then yesterday i went to the doctor and found out my liver enzymes were 3x what they should be. The doctor thinks this is because of my Burns and the medications. However if it doesn't get better i will have to have a liver biopsy in a couple months.
God is being my Prince of Peace in the midst of all of this as long as I keep my mind on Him and not on the craziness of this world.How was your Thanksgiving? How do you keep your peace this fast paced often crazy season?

Book Review:Precisely Terminated by Amanda L. Davis

2011-11-28T18:38:00.001-06:00

About the Book:
Monica, a noble disguised as a slave girl, escaped the chip implantation process that the slaves of Cantral and Cillineese were subjected to at birth. As a result, she alone holds the ability to find a paper bearing instructions for shutting down the mind-controlling computers and execute the paper's directives. But the Cillineese rulers discover Monica's existence and move to seal the city. They plan to gas all the inhabitants before Monica can set them free. The ensuing race against time pits one girl against the tyranny of powerful nobles...with an entire city's inhabitants hanging in the balance.

My Review:
I love this book. The author had me hook trom the word go. I felt like I was with the Monica every step of the way rich throughly detailed world. The book also gives a wonderful example of love and sacrifice. Amanda put a lot tme and thought into this book and you can definately tell it. I can't wait for the next booik in the series.

About the Author:

Amanda L. Davis is an award-winning writer who spends her spare time spinning yarn, sewing, quilting, and embroidering. She honed her writing craft while attending writers conferences with her father, award-winning fantasy novelist Bryan Davis, and through years of participating in Cleanplace, an online writers group for teens. Amanda is available to speak about her process of living with dyslexia, excelling in a homeschool environment, and chasing your dreams-no matter what your age.

My Thanksgiving Traditions

2011-11-21T08:35:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving is tomorrow! It's hard to believe that this year is almost over! I guess it's true what they say about time going by faster the older you get :) Without a doubt thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all (besides my birthday). Why you ask? It's my favorite first of all because of all we have to be thankful for and secondly for all the wonderful traditions I have. Here are my favorite Thanksgiving Traditions:

Thankful cards. I got this idea from an older lady at my church. When I was a teen she sent me a card right before Thanksgiving telling me how thankful she was that I was active in church. Totally made my day that someone was thankful for ME! Since then I have tried to carry on this tradition every year. since by sending notes to various people I'm thankful for. The past few years I have made my own cards and sent them out. Here's a picture of this years card. In case you are wondering, that's a embossed pumpkin on the front cover.

I am also thankful for our annual Thanksgiving Eve service at church. Our church has a service on the night before Thanksgiving to help us turn our hearts toward the Lord and thank Him for all he's done for us. It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of this holiday season. Then right after the service we have a church wide potluck dinner. I enjoy the pot luck because I get to hang out and thank God for my wonderful church family.

What are you favorite Thanksgiving traditions that help make the season one to remember?

I hope all you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Love to all!

Thanksgiving Thoughts

2011-11-21T08:13:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love getting together with loved ones, remembering all that we have to be thankful for and eating great food! I have to admit this year I've been in Thanksgiving funk. I'm not sure why excactly. I think it is a combination of things

1. I haven't seen my parents and sister in three years. I will not go into this in detail on here but things are complicated. It just doesn't seem like the holidays without my family.

2. It seems more than ever that people espcially the media and retail are skipping over Thanksgiving and going straight to Christmas! I think this devalues the holdiay and encourages people to think about what they want instead of being greatful for what they have. Okay I'm getting off my soap box now. :)

Despite all this I am going to continue some of favorite Thanksgiving traditons which I'll tell you more about on Wednesday.

What do you do to help you get into the Thanksgiving spirit? Does it feel like Thanksgiving is almost here for you? I'd love to hear how you foster an attitude of thankfulness this time of year in your house and in your own heart!

Book Review: Catherine: Inisde the Heart and Mind of a Great Monach (The Volga Flows Forever Series Book 1)

2011-11-20T18:42:00.001-06:00

I am reviewing this book for Media Quest.net

About the Book:

Catherine: Inside the Heart and Mind of a Great Monarch…

“You look astonishingly pretty,” admits Johanna when Sophia steps out of her bedroom dressed in Ulrika’s magnificent gown. Sophia is stunned, halting in mid-step. This is rare praise from her cold mother, so she must, indeed, look very good. At Frederick’s side during the elaborate court dinner, Sophia shines and sparkles with youth and wit. The monarch is very pleased with his choice. Indeed, he is so enamored with the girl that he opens his purse to outfit mother and daughter, both woefully deficient in material matters appropriate for court life.
So begins the transformation of Princess Sophia of Anhalt-Zerbst into Catherine the Great of Russia. The personal and professional triumphs and tribulations of this remarkable woman are retold by Sigrid Weidenweber, whose research into the life of Catherine reveals a new perspective on Catherine, from the inside out. Sigrid portrays with heartfeld understanding what it was like to have been such a major European political and military, social and cultural figure during the eighteenth century.

About the Book:
I have to admit. I was very intimidated when I saw how many pages this book was. On my Nook it showed over 800 pages. However once I got started reading the book, I couldn't put t down. . The author did a wonderful job making me feel like I was a part of the story. I am a history buff and have always wanted to know more about Catherine certainly satisfied my curiosity. You can tell that Sigrid took a lot of time and thoroughly research for her book. I also like how different stories were woven together to give us a complete look at Catherine's life wrapped in adventure and mystery.
I look forward to reading book two in the Volga Flows forever series. I give this book five stars out of 5! (I love this book!)

About the Author

About Sigrid Weidenweber: Born in Germany in 1941, Sigrid Weidenwber remembers the horrific aftermath of fascism. At the end of the war, she found herself living under communism. After the Berlin Wall was built, she managed to escape the repressive environment with the help of friends and a French passport. To this day she does not speak French.

She holds degrees in medical technology, psychology and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Concordia University of Portland, Oregon for her trilogy “The Volga Flows Forever.” In her trilogy she brings to life Catherine the Great in her multiple roles as monarch, woman, lover, mother, grandmother and head of the general staff of the army, in Volume one. The following two historical volumes deal with the Volga Germans brought to Russia by Catherine’s edict.

Three years ago she moved to Santa Rosa Valley, California from Portland Oregon. She has passionately embraced California together with her family that also resides here. Visit her website here.

burn baby burn

2011-11-13T15:37:00.001-06:00

Well everything was calm and peaceful until two weeks ago. We had somewhere to be one evening so I decided to heat up some leftovers and cook some veggies. Well I put a pot of water on the stove. Without realizing it I did not put the pot all the way on the stove. It was hanging on the edge. Well then I went about doing other errands to get ready for that evening. Then I suddenly remembered that I needed to check on the water on the stove. It was boiling. Well I go to take the vegetables out of the freezer and in the process I drop something. In the process of straightening up and putting the vegetables in the pot I managed to knock the pot off the stove. I spilt buring hot water all over my left arm and leg!
To say the pain was intense was an understatement. I was screaming! I couldn't think! I just felt like I was on fire! I don't know how I thought of this (I say it's a total God thing!) that I had the were with all to run cool water on my arm and leg to help with the burning. After about 10 minutes in which the burning did not stop I decided I needed to call my hubby and what had happened! Long story short-he got home and we headed straight to the emergency room. I have second and third degree burns on my arm and first and second degree burns on my leg.
I have pictures if you would like to see them but I am warning you they are gross! I had blisters the size of my palm on my arm and leg!
Thankfully I am slowly but surely healing. My husband has been a saint! He's been so patient, gentle and loving. He's done house work, changed by dressings, wiped my tears and so much more all without complaint. Thank you sweetie! I will never doubt your love again! :)
Through it all God has given me much a peace. I just have to focus my eyes on Him and take one thing at a time. Not worry about the holidays, the fiances, my never ending to do just take one moment at a time and focus on Him step of the way.

Have you ever had something that God was trying to teach you that you only seem to get when you learned it the hard way?

Homekeepers Journal for October 19, 2011

2011-10-19T11:15:00.001-05:00

In my kitchen this week- lots of dehydrating and freezing fresh produce. I discovered a new store this weekend called Joe V.'s and it has incredible prices especially on produce!

Around the house-Not a lot. I was planning on getting started on some serious house cleaning today since my parents will be coming for a visit in less than a month. However my stomach is really upset this morning so I'm taking it easy.

The family-Hubby's schedule has slowed down a bit so he's been able to help around the house more. It's such a blessing to have a hubby who likes to help around the house. The girls are good both of them shedding their summer coats for thicker ones. Fur is everywhere!

New projects-Nothing really new just trying to continue working on my Christmas projects. I have about 60+ days to get all the projects done.

Ideas-really want to try freeze ahead meals. Has anyone tried this? If so what's been your experince?

Light Bulb moments-Just trying to be more positve and have a brighter outlook. It's amazing how changing your outlook really affects things.

Friday Fragments 10-14-11

2011-10-13T20:47:00.001-05:00

Friday Fragments

1. The weather has been so much cooler this week! Thank you Jesus!
2. We even got some rain! We still have a 30 inch deficit for the year but hey rain is rain! :)
3. Ever since I ran last Saturday I have been so much more self confident. Maybe my days of having low/ no confidence are over! :)
4. I don't know what I'm doing but I have been feeling so much better the last couple of weeks. I'm hoping and praying that this means that my liver issues are getting better too.
5. I'm going to my first adult Halloween party next Saturday. I'm super excited!
6. However, it has been an ordeal finding a costume! I think that costume designers don't know how to make figure flattering costumes for us curvy girls! It's been so frustrating!
7. (insert sarcasm here) Of course my husband finds a cool costume right away and ON SALE!
8. I can't belive that it's almost November! I've been a busy beaver working on Christmas gifts.
9. I've decided that I'm gonna make all my immediate familiy's Christmas gift. Thankfully that's only five people! :) The reason that I'm doing this: 1. I think homemade gifts are so much more meaningful 2. I think it will be cheaper than buying Christmas gifts at the store. I have a lot of the stuff already.
10.. My hubby bought me a Sizzix machine and alot of scrapbooking/crafting stuff from a friend for really cheap. Thank you sweetie! I love it all! :)

I hope you guys have a wonderful weekend.

Run of Love

2011-10-11T19:28:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday I participated in my first real run. What I mean by a real run is that it was my first official race. I ran the 1 mile race in the Texas Mom's for CCA run. CCA is the Children's Craniofacial Association (CCA)nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower and give hope to individuals and families with facial anomalies. My friend Becky son named Wade is a special needs child with facial anomalies. She was the one who first told me about the race. I couldn't say no. First of all it was a local race and second of all it benefited a group that helped special needs children. For those of you who don't know. I really enjoy teaching and working with special needs children. In fact in the spring I am going to go back to school and get my teacher certification so that I can work with them all the time. I was super excited about the race until the night before the race. Then I was super nervous. I mean here I am a fluffy girl trying to run a mile race. What was I thinking!? Well I finally calmed down and decided that I was going to do the race. At the very least I was getting some exercise and raising money for a great organization. The next day I got to the race sight early so I could watch and cheer on the 5k runners. That will be next year. This runner is my inspiration.

I figure that if this woman can run a 5K pushing two kids and still place in the top 25 then I can definately run the one mile race. Here's a shirt that one team of runners had at the event. I'd love to have one. It's so COOL and shares a great message!

Well before I knew it. It was time for the race to being. Here's a picture of me at the starting line.

Soon we were off. It was the most exhilarating thing I've ever done. Then all of a sudden my shins started killing me! I've been training to run on the treadmill. I didn't realize running on concrete would make such a difference! Ouch! Well I finished the race in last place but at least I best time on a mile run EVER! I'm so proud of myself! More importantly I reminded myself that I can indeed do whatever I set my mind too.

Is there anything you thought you could do and then you put your mind to it and did it?

Words to Live by

2011-10-10T08:11:00.001-05:00

2011-10-09T06:49:00.007-05:00

Good morning everyone! Wow! It's hard to believe that it's been almost a month since my last post. For those of you who have sent me messages asking if I'm okay and telling me that you missed my post. Thank you! Those messages touched my heart. Yes true I haven't posted and here are the reasons why.

First of all, I've gone back to work. Thank you Lord for taking care of us and providing for us! I am working with special education students usually the severe and profound. This job extremely rewarding to me but also extremely exhausting. Fall is usually a busy time for my family even when I'm not working. I love the cooler weather and wonderful opportunities it brings but it always has us hopping.

Secondly I've just been a little burned out on my blog. A couple of months ago I decided to have my blog critiqued to see how I could get more readers, more product reviews, ect.-ya ya ya. The reviewer made some suggestions and I decided to try them. . Well in trying to conform to this "proven method of success" I ended up hating my blog and almost deleted my it. I'm so glad that I didn't but I knew I needed a break. I've come to the conclusion I may never be a very successful or profitable blogger and that's okay. I love blogging and sharing my experiences with others. With that being said I am going to try to blog on Monday, Wednesday and Friday but if not I'm not going to beat myself up about it. I have many post I can't wait to share with you! Thanks again my readers for all you love, concern and support. Talk to you soon!

Remebering Hurricane Ike

2011-09-13T21:23:00.001-05:00

I wrote this shortly after Hurricane Ike hit the Texas Coast on September 13, 2008. On the morning of September 13, 2008, the eye of Hurricane Ike approached the upper Texas coast, making landfall at 2:10 a.m. CDT over the east end of Galveston Island, with a high storm surge, and traveled north up Galveston Bay, along the east side of Houston. I live along the east side of Houston not far from Galveston Bay. This is my journal of what happened.

Well..I guess the best place to start is at the beginning. We thought that Ike would be hitting a little further south of us so we were only worried about rain but kept a close eye on things. Well that Thursday, September the 18 we woke up to find that we were under a mandatory evacuation for our area. It seemed that the storm turned north and we were now on the dirty side of the storm (for those of you not familiar with hurricanes-the dirty side is the east side). If you are on the east side of a hurricane you always get worse rain, worse wind, and a greater chance for tornadoes. Everything on the east side of a hurricanes gets dirty-hence why it is called the dirty side. Matt and I couldn't believe it that a hurricane was supposed to directly hit our area! . We both grew up in this area and never had be forced to evacuate before. We could not decide wither to leave or not. Well I had a to go to work so I told him to decided and we would go from there. I had a sub job that day. When I got to school I heard we would be getting out at 11 instead of the usual 3:45. Okay, that's good I thought it will give me time to go packed and loaded. Well I was supposed to have 23 kids in my class that day only 12 showed up. By the time school ended I was down to 3 students. Everyone was picking up their kids and getting out of town. Well I get home and Matt suggest going to the high school. I had a dream earlier in the week that we would have to evacuate and we would go to the High School (where Matt and I went to school at) with my old home ec. teacher and friend Ms. Webber. Well we contact Ms. Webber and we decide to leave Friday morning-the storms not supposed to hit until later that evening we'll be okay. And that will give us time to pack. For those of you who have never had to evacuate before I cannot begin to tell you what an overwhelming task it is to pack. You have to take necessary items such as food, water, toiletries, medication, ect. The hard part is deciding what else to take-if your house is demolished what could you not live without. For me it's my pictures and my scrapbooks. Thankfully I have most of my pictures backed up on my computer. Well we get ready and head out to the high school. The high school is about 30 miles above sea level so we figured we wouldn't get any storm surge that high. At the time they were saying that we could get a storm surge of over 12ft-which would put our house under water. Matt being the optimist was not really worried at all-me not so much. (side note here I am SO thankful to have a husband who is an optimist-he balances out his wife who tends to be a pessimist). :)

We get there and get settled in and things start to get dark. Sophie was really really anxious.

I had never seen her so nervous. I kept thinking of Roise our cat back home. She would not get in her cat carrier for anything and after a scratched up arm-I decided to leave her there. I know, I know, shame on me. Matt and Mrs. Webber were cooking up some food for us to have before the power went out. I was in heaven. I had two people who like to cook so I didn't have too! :) So I got to hang out with Sophie. She's so fun. She had her tennis ball. Here she is playing with it. Well, she was playing with it-of course she stopped playing when I started video tapeing. Well we played, talked, ate, and hung out and it started getting dark and the wind really started

picking up. We went to bed about 10:00 and shortly after that the power went out. I know this because I have a C-pap machine for my sleep apnea and the alarm with no power went off. Well there was no way I was going back to sleep then. Matt was still sound asleep. The man can sleep through anything. I got up and read my bible by flash light. I was reading the Psalms and came across this verse: " He hushes the storm to a calm and gentle whisper so that the waves of the sea the are still-then men are glad because of the calm and He brings them to their desired haven. " Psalms 107: 29-30. I kept mediating on this verse and how he showed me in a dream that we would be okay and slept soundly. I think even Sophie finally curled up beside us and slept. Well, Matt and I woke up about 4 a.m and we laid there for quite a while talking and listening to the rain.

Then we decided to get up and explore the damage. The storm had blow the skylights out letting rain pour through the building. Also, the storm have blown one door to the outside in. We had parked our cars there earlier but Matt told us we needed to move them. Thank God we did. Another car was there and it was severely damaged. Here is a picture of the door that blew-they braced it with a table. We decided to wait till the sun came up and explore some more. When we did here's what we found. The trophy cases got wet and some of the trophies and awards were damaged. There was water everywhere. I started calling the school Lake Eagle. It was still really rainy and windy so we went back to the comfort of our brick walled classroom. We hung out and things got a lot better. We decided to out and see how our house along with Ms. Webber's house was. We also took pictures of the damage. Here is a picture of what is left of the construction trailer out back of the school.

is a pole leaning on the highway.

Most electric poles were like this. This is the Marina.

, those are the boats on the highway. I was getting more and more nervous as we got closer to our house. This is the house that we are currently living in right now. We are in the process of moving into another house and Matt would go check on it later. I kept saying "God is in control and I trust you God." When I got to the house here is what I saw. No major damaged. Only trees down and cosmetic damage.

we went to Ms. Webbers house. There was no major damage there either. As we were driving we saw other places that were not so lucky. Well we left the school on Monday and thankfully by then we had power back. Unfortunately most of the town was still shut down due to damage and no power. Thank you Lord for being my shelter in the storm!

Archive: G is for Gluten Free

2011-09-13T04:00:00.000-05:00

G is for Gluten Free
Last October my life changed forever. At the time I thought my life was ending but it was just the beginning.... Last October I was diagnosed with Celiac disease. My friend Linda over at Gluten Free Homemaker does a much better job of giving an overview of Celiac disease than I could ever do. I am going to quote her blog.
Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disease which affects both children and adults. In people with celiac disease, the body reacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, setting off an autoimmune reaction. This reaction causes the production of antibodies which attack and damage the small intestine. Specifically, damage is done to the villi which line the small intestine and are crucial to the absorption of nutrients.

This damage to the villi can result in diarrhea or constipation, weight loss, other gastrointestinal problems, malnutrition, and failure to thrive (in children). It also affects other organs in the body and can lead to irritability, poor concentration, fatigue, bone and joint problems, anemia, reproductive problems, depression, and problems of the nervous system.

Celiac disease is not an allergy. Allergies can be outgrown. As an autoimmune disease, Celiac disease cannot be outgrown. There is no cure and there are currently no drugs to treat it. The good news is that it can be treated with a change in diet. People with Celiac disease can lead healthy lives by completely avoiding gluten. Once on a gluten-free diet, the villi in the small intestines will heal over time.

Based on a prevalence study done by the Center for Celiac Research, it is believed that 1 in 133 people have celiac disease. Diagnosis is made through blood tests and small bowel biopsy. The celiac panel blood tests include tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and anti gliadin (AGA) tests. A positive tTG result is very suggestive of celiac disease. A positive AGA result can indicate celiac disease or wheat allergy.

Since going Gluten Free my health has made a total 180. I have more energy, I have clearer thinking and no more abdominal pain. The way I look and think abut food has totally changed too. I try to eat fresh, whole, unprocessed foods such as fruits, veggies, eggs, and rice. This has been a real change because I used to never eat fruits and veggies. I feel so much better that I don't mind eating them so much anymore. I am also VERY careful about eating processed foods. Gluten can be in foods that you never thought it would be-like catchup.

If you have any questions or comments about Gluten Fee or Celiac disease I'd be happy to answer them. Just email me or post the questions in the comment section

Words to Live by 9-12-11

2011-09-11T20:47:00.006-05:00

Always remeber this.......

This is a quote for the book entitled The Help. If you haven't read it you need to. It's awesome! The movie is good too!

Archive: Remebering 911

2011-09-11T07:07:00.002-05:00

Every generation has a defining moment that they will never forget. The rest of their lives they will be able to recall where they where when everything changed. I think the defining moment for my generation was 9-11. It forever changed my life even though it happened over 1600 miles away.
I remember that day starting out grey and dreary and something didn't feel quite right. I thought that it was just because I was have one of my student teaching observations that day. I was always weird and nervous when the university supervisor was there. However, looking back on this day I have a feeling it was something different. I remember having this sadness in my sole that I could not shake. This sadness just wouldn't leave me and it keep urging me to pray. I remember thinking to myself, "Lord I don't know what's going on, why I feel this way but whatever happens-I trust you." Little did I know how much my faith would be trusted-along with everyone else.
So I drove to the school. I was student teaching on Fort Hood in Kileen,Tx. Even on the way to school I could not shake that feel-but I kept saying "God I trust you!" Well I get to school and every thing is going great despite the way I felt. It was my tern to teach the reading lesson. My teacher leaves the room as I am teaching. No biggie I though-she might have gone to the restroom or something. Nothing to worry about right? Well She comes back white as a ghost. I wanted to ask her if she was okay but I was in the middle of the lesson. Next, I heard the sound that I will never forget. ((((((((((ANNNNN)))),(((((ANNNN))))). I asked the teacher what that was. Then she told me that Fort Hood was on lock down! Oh my goodness! She told me and the students not to worry about anything and to just keep on doing what we had been doing. Yeah right. We all tried but we were definitely on edge after that. Well, after I had finished my lesson the university supervisor pulls me off to the side and says that the World Trade Center had been attacked and collapsed. I was speechless! Then she said that since Fort Hood is the largest military base in the world that we were on lock down as a precaution. Then she stressed not to let the kids know. Well, second graders are not idiots and kept asking what was going on and we couldn't tell them. Finally it's lunch time. The principals are talking to the kids and all the teachers are huddled around the tv in the lounge. I will never forget the first time I saw the planes hitting the tower and the Trade Center collapsing. Well, the rest of the day passed in a burr. I remember driving home thinking-God how could you let this happen? No sooner than I said it than my prayer from earlier popped in my mind "Lord I don't know what's going on, why I feel this way but whatever happens-I trust you."
It's been eight years since that fatefully day. I don't know if American society has improved or worsen since then but I do know for a fact that this country will never be the same. We must never forget the men and women who lost their lives that day. Thank the military for keeping us safe! America forever!
4-planes
19-hijackers
2-110 story towers
1-pentagon
1-farm field in Pennsylvania

246-deaths on the planes
2603-deaths in the World Trade Center
125-Deaths at the Pentagon

17,400-people were in the World Trade Center at the time of the attack

1366-deaths came on floors above the impact

200-jumped to their deaths

411-emergency workers died at the scene

Friday Fragments 9-8-11

2011-09-09T05:49:00.001-05:00

1. This week the weather has been great fantastic. Lows in the 50 and 60 and highs in the low 90's. :) I just hope the heat doesn't come back with vengeance.

2. My heart breaks seeing and hearing about the forest fires here in Texas. The devastation is awful! It also makes you stop and think about what's important. I know people who have lost everything. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

3. I was hoping to be "officially" diagnosed with celiac disease but the test came back negative. I'm not really surprised though. You have to be eating gluten on a regular basis. Now why would I continue to eat the stuff when it makes me feel deathly ill afterwards! Come on now!

4. The doctor also said that my liver enzymes are still high. She wants me to try to loose as much weight as possible between now and the week before Thanksgiving. If the enzymes are still high when I go back, she wiants to do a liver biospy.

5. I have never been good at dieting or weight loss. Yesterday was our garden club meeting and I was a bad, bad girl. :( Any tips, tricks, advice for weight loss would be greatly appreciated.

6. The Sophie ordeal is still up in the air. *sigh*

7. Thankfully I am starting to get some work. :)

8. My cat Rosie has been really cold lately and has decided to star sleeping under the covers with me. Ever heard of a cat being cold? I haven't. Its weird but funny.

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful weekend

Wordless Wednesday 9-7-11

2011-09-07T05:39:00.004-05:00

**Note this is not a picture that I have taken. But there are fires all over the state of Texas. Please pray for rain!*****

Tuesday Topic: Blogging

2011-09-06T06:07:00.003-05:00

After blogging for a over two years (I totally forgot about my blog anniversary in July-opps!) I still have questions about blogging and I am hopping you my fellow readers and bloggers could give me some advice. Here are my top ten questions about blogging or my blog:

1. How do you get more comments? I have a ton of page views on my post but not a lot of comments! Why?

2. How do you get into product reviews? I really enjoy reviewing books (I'm a bookworm-what can I say) but I'd like to branch out.

3. Okay I get them I am supposed to write and comment on other peoples blogs daily. Is anything else Major that I should be doing daily?

4. When you look at my blog them, does it come up with a polka doted page and then change to something different or am I the only one seeing that?

5. Is it possible to love writing and blogging and still make money or get free stuff from your postings?

6. What advice would you give someone new to blogging?

7. There are so many how to books on blogging or improving your blog. Are there any that YOU recommend?

8. Do you think it's important to post every day or is it okay not to as long as you have an established blogging schedule?

9. What do you think about giveaways for the sole purpose of getting more followers? I have mixed feelings about this?

10. If you could change anything about my blog (layout, content, theme, design-ANYTHING) what would you change?

Thank you in advance for your kind and constructive advice. Happy Tuesday! :)

Words to Live By Volume 3

2011-09-05T13:35:00.001-05:00

My Sweeet Babbo

2011-09-02T05:23:00.000-05:00

Sunday will make the 3 anniversary of me being married to my sweet baboo. My Sweet Baboo is a very understanding, loving, generous, good man. I know that what we have works because of who he is. And while he is most definitely a very manly man, masculine- he is willing to do whatever it takes to help me-even do housework! He is my best friend and knows how to make me laugh when no one else can.

It took me awhile to truly trust him. I had issues and on top of that, my issues had baggage. Was I screwed up? You bet. To say I was skittish is a major understatement. I had scars and scares and fears and freak outs I needed to get rid of. It took me almost ten years to agree to marry him because I was so skittish. And over the years, his patience and unwavering, unconditional love helped me heal. And chocolate. He knows I love almost anything chocolate!

Consistent, constant, unwavering, unconditional, total, complete, and a totally passionate love. That is what he gives me. Though he is not perfect I believe that he gives me a great example of the Father's love.

Sometimes I look at him and am blown away by this man. He is a gift from God just for me. He believes in me, my talents, and abilities. He wants me to thrive. He loves me, totally.

I think both of us have to be a crazy. It takes a crazy person to move in with another person and develop a life-time relationship with someone who is so absolutely totally opposite of oneself and to expect it to work!

Sweet Baboo's expressions of love still astound me. Truly, he makes it very easy to love him and he makes it fun to share this life with.

He just flat out loves me. ME! He LOVES me. He loves ME. HE loves me. Wow.!

Happy Anniversary my Sweet Baboo! May we have many more years together.

3 Day Weekend Top 10

2011-09-01T09:04:00.001-05:00

1. Sleep late-It seems like my hubby and I are never getting to bed on time these days so when we get the chance we love to sleep in! :)

2.. Movies-be it Netflix or going to the theater we like to watch movies during the long weekend

3. Eat-during the long weekend the hubster likes to barbeque or girl or some type of man cooking-and I'll fix the sides to go with it

4. Visit-we like to go vist our friends and/or family we haven't seen in a while.

5. Cath up on our reading!

6. Go shopping if I can

7. . Hop in the pool or hot tub depending on the weather and where we are :) ( we don't have our own pool or hot tub) :)

8. Relax-take a break from the normal hustle and bussle we deal with

9. Scrapbook or do something crafty.

10. Celebrate-any time away from work and with loved is a good thing!

What are you top ten things to do on a three day weekend?

little used wonder cure?

2011-08-30T21:51:00.003-05:00

Last Tuesday I started feeling awful. By noon I had a headache, runny nose and a ear ache. Darn summer allergies! A friend of mine suggested that I continue to use my netti pot and drink some apple cider vinegar to clear up my sinus infection. Apple Cider vinegar I though! That's gross! Okay, it's not gross and I use it for lots of things around the house. However, the smell is awful!! I don't like going to the doctor though and it always take so long to get in so I decided to give the apple cider vinegar a try. And by the end of the day my sinsus were drying up! I couldn't believe it! All I did was take 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water 3 times that day. Here are some other things that apple cider vinegar are good for:

Prevents bladder stones and urinary tract infections
Strengthen the immune system
weight loss
Balance high cholesterol
Improve digestion and cure constipation

As will all things do your homework before you being using apple cider vinegar. Are their any natural remedies you swear by?

Book Review: Allon Book 3 Heir Apparent

2011-08-29T14:57:00.003-05:00

About the Book:

After a resounding defeat at the and of King Ellis' forces, Emperor Kamu of Moroven sends and ambassador to Allon offering a royal marriage between one of his daughters, Princess Kaleana, and sixteen-year-old Prince Nigel.

Kaleana gives Nigel a jade statue as a gift of goodwill. Avatar, Nigel's Guardian Overseer, reacts with hostility to the foreign statue and urges him to get rid of it. but his warning has little effect on the smitten prince. Soon, strage things start happening: unknown creatures appear, mysterous stones are discovered, and every event threatens thte lives of the royal family.

Avatar is convinced the jade statue is the sorce of the trouble. For Nigel, each incident intensifies a secret disturbance-nightmares that haunt him about his future. Where does the connection lie-in Nigel's nightmares or is everything the result of revenge disguised as a dowry?

My Review

The third book in the Allon series is my favorite book in the series so far. It deals with coming of age and having trying to find the balance between being who you are and becoming an adult. I totally identify with Tristine. I too was a tomboy growing up and ad a hard time butting my tom-boyishness aside when I grew up. The surprise twist in the story totally caught me off guard! I can't tell you anymore or I'll give it away.

The book also deals with family laying asside their differnces and coming together when tragedy strikes.

Heir apparent is a wonderfuler light read filled with action and adventure. Once you get started reading you won't be able to put it down. I can't wait to get my hands on book four!

You can read my reviews of book one and book two here

About the Author

Shawn Lamb lives in Antioch, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville with her husband Rob Lamb. Married for 25 years they have a daughter, Briana, who is pursuing a career in film.

Taking the skills learned from writing for children’s television along with experience dealing with children in AWANA and during her time in Civil Air Patrol working with teens, she began the Allon series.
The result are stories of commitment, faith, and endurance; commitment to a cause, the faith to overcome obstacles and the endurance to see it through to the end. Begin the journey of discovering Allon with Ellis and Shannan as they seek to restore hope to the mortals of the kingdom and pave the way for the return of the mighty immortal Guardians.

More Than Coincidence?

2011-08-29T05:21:00.000-05:00

Last Tuesday started out liike any other day. I was on the treadmill at the gym when a blurb ran across the screen mentioning an earthquake in Colorado. Weird I thought. They don't typically have earthquakes. Later on I was at my churches Women's Bible study and we read started reading Isaiah 24. In it the author (Isaiah) is talking about a comeing destruction that no one can escape. Then that afternoon there was an earthquake in Virginia. Another rareity. In 2011 so far we have 26 recorded earthquakes world wide. In addition we have had hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, tornados, droughts and just about every other natural disaster immaginable. Do you think this is all mere concidence? I think not. The purpose of Jesus telling us of the increase in natural dissasters happening just prior to His return was to prepare us so that we would not be caught off guard.

The Lord is not willing that any person should perish, but that all men would have an opportunity to obtain salvation and eternal life. For this reason, the prediction of and the fulfillment of natural disasters has the purpose of bringing man into an awareness of the God . That He has power over the natural elements of the Universe and often uses them to speak to man of His existence and ability to control the events of human existence.

My we all be prepared.

Friday Fragments

2011-08-26T14:45:00.000-05:00

Friday Fragments

1. Well there's not been a whole lot going on here this week. Not a lot of news is good news right!?
2. I told you a while back about my dog Sophie acting up and us giving her back to my mother in law..Well apparently my mother in law gave her away to someone. Yes, I know we decided we could keep her but I thought Sophie would stay in the family at least. I mean she had her before she gave her to us. This upsets me a ~~little~~ okay a lot!
3. I had a sinus infection the beginning of the week and it's all gone now thanks to apple cider vinegar. More about apple cider vinegar. soon.
4.I don't think we are going to do a lot this weekend. It's supposed to be 107 on Saturday and 106 on Sunday. That's really hot even for Houston! What are your plans this weekend?

Top Ten Thursday: Ten Things You Should Know About Me

2011-08-25T08:55:00.000-05:00

I'm linking up again with Beth for Top Ten Thursday.

Ten Things You Should Know About Me

1. I’m a Christian … a lover of Jesus and people.

2. I am married to my best friend and high school sweetheart even though it took us ten years to get together after high school

3. I have one furry child. Rosie my crazy calico cat

4. I was born, raised and still live in the Houston area.

5. I have a terrible tendency to say whatever pops into my head-the good, bad, and crazy

6 .I am 5' 11 and a 1/2. Often I wear heals so I can say I'm 6 feet tall. :)

7. I am addicted to Sonic Cherry Pineapple Cokes. They are so good! Except when the pineapple get stuck in the straw. LOL :)

8. I love all different types of music except rap and heavy metal. My favorite types of music are country and contemporary Christian

9. My dream job would be to have a gluten free bakery and deli. I love to cook and bake!

10. I love to sketch and paint every chance I get. A couple of times I've even gotten in trouble for sketching at the wrong time.

You can find out more facts about me by clicking here.

100 things about Carol

2011-08-25T08:53:00.002-05:00

100 Things About Carol

1. I was born in the seventies barely-1979

2. I am the youngest of five kids. I have one brother, one sister, and two half sisters

3. I currently live in the same house I grew up in

4. I've lived in the same town I am currently living all my life-well except 4 1/2 years when I went off to college.

5. Sophie is the first "inside" dog I've ever owned.

6. Rosie is the first cat I've owned

7. my parents were abusive- they still are

8. I broke the abuse cycle. Praise God!
9. I love to read

10. I love to draw and paint

11. My dream job is to be a pastry chef

12. I love to bake

13. I have a gluten allergy

14. I met my husband in high school. We did not get together until 10 years later though.

15. I am tall. 5'11" to be exact

16. I am a Christian and so is my hubby

17. I love working with children

18. But I love coming home to a nice, peaceful, and Child free home.

19. I wish I knew how to decorate

20. I love taking photos.

21. I am the unofficial photographer at my church. rlc

22. All the car's I've driven (and currently drive) are Nissans

23.Tulips are my favorite flower

24. I am not analytical but thankfully my husband is!

25. After a long day I love a warm bubble bath

26. I have two nieces and one nephew

27. I take medication-a lot

28. I am working to make healthy changes so I can get off some of these meds

29. My wedding ring is a fire topaz. I used to think that diamonds looked like a fire topaz

30. Now, I like fire topaz rings better than diamonds

31. I much rather be cold than hot

32. I love being outside and enjoying nature.

33. I love to sing but I can't carry a tune in a bucket

34. I love all music except heavy metal and rap

35. I grew up listening to country, contemporary Christian and hymns

36. I don't like last minuteness

37. I like be prepared and knowing what's going on-in advance

39. I am learning to enjoy exercising. I've still got a ways to go though

40. I don't like to exercise but I LOVE the way I feel afterwards

41. I love to laugh!

42. I learning to drink water and tea and not soda

43. I used to drink soda every day now I drink sodas only 1 every couple of weeks or so.

44. I love chocolate!
45. My husband is my best friend

46. I love the hot chocolate from McDonald's! It's the best hot chocolate I've ever tasted besides Abulita hot chocolate

47. Spending time with God is the best way to start my day.

48. Sometimes I don't spend time with Him and it really puts me in a funk

49. I can be really anal about some things

50. I can also be a slob too

51. I am a first generation native Texan

52. I love Texas!

53. I like to dress up occasionally

54. I do not like to wear dresses or hose!

55. I love wearing Crocs or my boots

56. I am trying to shed a few pounds.

57. I am not trying to obsess about a number about what weight I need to get down to-I am just trying to be healthier.

58.I love snuggling on the couch with my hubby and babies

59. My babies are a miniature daschund and a calico cat

60. My feet are always cold

61. I love Burt's Bee!
62. Their products are gluten free and they feel great too!
63. I love the Twlight Series.

64. I wish my hubby would sparkle. (Twlight fans-you know what I mean)

66. Turner Classic Movies is my favorite TV channel

67. I only have one TV in my house. Can you believe it!?

68. My hubby and I like it better that way.

69. And no, the TV isn't in the bed room.

70. I like to play Scrabble. I am not good at it yet but I am learning

71. Glee is my favorite tv show

72. I love horses
73. My brother had a horse when I was growing up
74. My parents gave me a real cabbage one Christmas when I said I wanted a Cabbage Patch Kid. Thankfully they had bought me a real Cabbage Patch too.
75. I like purses. I have a ton of them. My husband thinks I could start my own purse store.
76. I don't like a lot of shoes. I have 3 or 4 favorite pairs that I wear with everything.
77.I grew up in a Baptist chruch but no I attend a Lutheran one.
78. my favorite colors are blue, green and purple
77. I tent to say what I think. This is a good thing but sometimes it's also a bad thing.
78. I love blogging. It's therapy to me.
77. I like to draw and paint with watercolors.
78. I like to go on nature walks.
79. I like being punctual. I'm ocd about it actually
80. I didn't like vegtables growing up but I am learning to like them now
81. My veggies so far are carrots, apples, oranges, pumpkin and brocoli
82. The clothes in my closet are arraged by color.
83. I like to scrapbook but sometimes I get frustrated with it because I want something to be perfect and it's not.
84. I like spending time in God's word
85. I collect teapots
86.I collect ladybug and daschund stuff (anythign and everything from pens, to doormats, to magnets to shoes)
87. I love tex-mex
88. I will drink a coke made in mexico any chance I get. It use real cane sugar and it taste fantastic.
89. I love to take photos
90. I have been a susbtitue teacher, cashier, and secretary
91. I am very opinonated
92. My husband is my best friend
93. My dream cars would be a Chevy camero and a Nissian Titan
94. My parents retired and moved to Arkansas. sometimes I wished they lived closer
95. Third Day is my favorite band EVER!
96. I believe in the power of forgiveness.
97. I can be extroverted and shy at the same time.
98. I belive in the power of forgiveness
99. I belive that our thoughts greatly affect our actions
100. I believe in Jesus.

Wordless Wednesday 8-24-11 What do you think of my belated birthday gift?

2011-08-23T19:48:00.001-05:00

Book Review: Allon Book 2-Insurretion

2011-08-23T06:44:00.000-05:00

I am reviewing this book for Allon Books. No additional compensation was received.

About The Book:

The Dark Way defeated, King Ellis starts restoring the House of Tristan. To him and Shannan, a son and heir is born, Prince Nigel. But not all is blissful in Allon. Kell, Captian of the immortal Guardians, never found Dagar's original talisman, the one the Master of the Dark Way infused with his evil.

Sinister tensions erupts into rebellion. Sir Owain, who Ellis pardoned for aiding the dethroned King Marcellus, leads the uprising. But Owain isn't trained in the Dark Way so how could he possess Dagar's talisman?

Ellis leads his army to quell the insurrection before it can erupt into civil war. his departure places the lives of Shannan and Nigel in jeopardy. If he returns to help them, he could loose his kingdom. If he continues against the enemy, he could lose his wife and son. He must trust their survival to the Guardian warrior, Avatar, and two teenage brothers, Wess and Bosley. What will these nephews of King Marcellus do? will they aid the House of Tristan or join Owain's insurrection and claim their birthright?

Allon -Book2- Insurrection is the next exciting tale in the epic saga fof the Kingdom of Allon.

My Review

I loved the first book in the Allon series and the book two doesn't disappoint. The book takes place four years after the first book. We're are always changing and this book deals with that. It also talks about how forgiveness can set you free from the past or how unforgiveness can leave you in bondage to you past. This bondage only leads to bitterness and regret. I really enjoyed how the story integrates action as well as faith. Once I got started reading the book I couldn't put it down. With a rich story and wonderful morals it's a great read for the young or young at heart.

The Author

Shawn Lamb lives in Antioch, Tennessee, just outside Nashville with her husband of nearly 25 years and their college age daughter, Briana. Shawn pursued her love of writing and took it to a professional level, writing for the 1980s animated series "BRAVESTAR". Along the way, she won several screenwriting awards, including a Certificate of Merit from the American Screenwriters Association.

Taking the skills of writing for television along with experience of working with kids and teens, she began work on the series Allon. The results are stories of faith to believe and overcome obstacles, commitment to a cause, and the endurance to see it through to the end.

To find out more about the Allon books click HERE . Stay tuned for a review of Allon Book 3: Heir Apparent coming next week!

Rosie Poem

2011-08-21T19:47:00.001-05:00

Rosie

My beautiful Rose

My how you've changed

Since Sophie's been gone

You used to stay in your room

Annoyed, sleepy,, grumpy

Now you romp,fetch and even eat potato chips!

You act more like a frolicking kitten now

Instead of a ten year old cat

And I don't mind that one bit!

Girls Weekend Social Hop!

2011-08-19T15:20:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone! Hope you are having an amazing Friday So far! Just to let you know, their is a Girls Weekend Social Hop Going on you might wanna come Join IN ON!! Debbie over at Thrifty & Frugal by Debbie is hosting this event. You can like up all social networks along with your blog!! Gain tons of new followers!!

Guest Post: Who are you living for?

2011-08-19T06:40:00.001-05:00

Hey guys! I 'm gonna be out having some medical test done today so I've invited my blogging friend Jodi Chapman to fill in for me. She'll be talking about people pleaseing. This is somthing I struggle with. Before we get to the post I wanna share a little with out about Jodi.

Jodi Chapman writes Soul Speak – a daily blog that focuses on seeing life through a lens of gratitude and positivity. She is the bestselling author of the Soulful Journals series – writing-prompt journals that help you go within and get to know yourself better. She is also the author of the upcoming book, Go For It! She believes that our thoughts become our reality, and our actions lead us to our dreams. She is happily married to her best friend and co-writer, Dan Teck. They live in southern Oregon with their four fuzzy kids.www.soulspeakbyjodi.com

Who Are You Living For?

This is a really important (and sometimes really hard) question to answer.

In an ideal world, we are living for ourselves and only doing things that make us feel great and are on our authentic path.

But…it doesn’t always work this way. It’s normal to want to please others. It’s normal to want to be liked. But ask yourself at what expense are you willing to sacrifice your own wants and desires to fit in.

hink of how you live and the decisions you have made and continue to make.

Are you making them based on what you think people will want or expect you to do?

Are you making them because someone else’s voice (a parent, a spouse, a friend) is inside of you directing how you live?

Are you making them because you don’t want to upset anyone?

Are you making them because that’s how you’ve always done it?

And now think about how you want to live. The answers are always within us if we just take the time to listen.
As the answers come to you, write them down. And as you write them down, make sure that it is your authentic voice coming up with the answers. This is an exercise that you can keep coming back to with every part of your life – every decision, every action you make, every second of how you live your day.

Make sure you are living YOUR life – whatever that means for YOU.

There may be friction…

Sometimes when you start coming into your own power – your own authentic self – the self you know you were meant to be – friction occurs with those around you. When someone we love changes, it can sometimes be seen as threatening. It can bring up emotions, fears, and questions about our own life. This is why so many people resist it and why so many of us live lives that we know aren’t our best lives – comfortable, “I’m not rocking the boat” lives. And through this process of finding your own voice, you may have to let go of the voices you have carried within you – and this may mean letting go just in your mind or letting go of that person in reality as well.

Sometimes the perceived friction is only in our heads…

We all know how active our imaginations can be. When we are consciously deciding to live our best lives, we can start imagining how rocking the boat will lead to anger, disconnect, and complete withdrawal from those we love. We just know they won’t support us or understand this new person we are becoming. We get ourselves all worked up just thinking about showing them our authentic self. We are so afraid we won’t be accepted. And sometimes we aren’t. But more often than not, our loved ones completely support us and are completely okay with our changes. And we wonder why we were so worked up about it in the first place.

Showing ourselves and the world who we really are can be a scary, vulnerable place. But it can also be an empowering place. You get to be you – fully you.

If we stay conscious and continue to examine each moment of how we live, we will learn more and more about ourselves and get closer to living our authentic life.

Now that’s worth living for!

Pour my heart out Wednesday: Sophie Sue

2011-08-17T05:33:00.001-05:00

Most of you know that we've had trouble with our daschund Sophie lately. She suddently decided to pee in the middle of our living room floor.We tried everything to get her to stop and to figure out what the cause.After much deliberation, and tears we decided to give her Sophie to my mother in law. After all She gave her to us about 4-5 years ago. I miss her but I don't miss her that much. I miss her wet, sloppy kisses, I miss her puppy paws tapping across the wood floors, and I miss her barking when someone was close to the door. But other than that I'm good. Is that awful? I believe that God gave her to us for a reason, We got her during a dark time in our family. My hubby and I were both out of work and I was seriously depressed. I believed that God used to help through a rough patch.. Here lately she had been different though. Even before she started urinating in the middle of the living room floor. She would just sit around and mop all day. She would only come to life after her daddy got home.

I am honestly surprised that i didn't take her leaving harder. I am starting to question my sanity because I didn't get that upset. . My hubby says I j let it go and enjoy my new found peace and healthiness. I just hope and pray that Sophie Sue blesses my mother in law as much as she has us.

Word's to Live By Volume 3

2011-08-15T07:22:00.001-05:00

Friday Fragments 8-12-11

2011-08-12T08:25:00.001-05:00

Today I'm linking up with half past kissing time for Friday Fragments. Here are some fragments of what has been going on in my life.

This summer has flown by! It's hard to believe that school will start again on the 24! I still have no idea where or if I will be working this year for the school district subbing. They made lots of cuts and changes this year. We will see.I'm trying not to worry but just have faith. Some moments that's easier than others..
Thankfully God has provided for us this summer. Thank you Lord!
Did I mention it was HOT and DRY here in Texas?! I keep trying to tell my husband we need to move to Alaska.
I'm having dog issues with my doxie Sophie. She keeps wanting to pee and poop in the middle of the floor instead of her designated potty area. I don't know if she just being a rebellious teenage dog or what. Any ideas, tips, or suggestions about why this might be happening or how to stop it?
I am working on getting my household notebook together. Life as Mom has a great guide and planning pages already ready for you to fill in and use. You can find out more about it here
I have created a facebook page for my blog and I 'd love for you to follow. To do that click here.
I am also thinking of starting a new blog for my love of health and technology stuff. Do you have more than one blog? If so how do you manage.? I have tried before in the past but I have but I've never been very successful.

That what's been going on with me. What's going on with you? I hope everyone has a Fabulous Friday!

Top Ten Thursday-Charitable Donations

2011-08-11T10:14:00.001-05:00

Today I am linking up with Beth for Top Ten Thursday.
For some reason I really like handing out money so today … I’m giving you the responsibility to make 10 Charitable Donations. What 10 charities would you give the money to?

1. My Church-Redeemer Lutheran Church's Angel Food Ministries

2. Daschund Rescue of Houston

3. Revive Our Hearts Women's Ministry

4. Texas Lutheran Church Extension Fund- planting Lutheran Churches across Texas

5. Texas Partners In Missions
6.Ever After Mustang Rescue
7. Hannah's Prayer Ministry-Christian Support for Fertilty Challenges
8. SIM-Serving in Missions-International Christian Missions. One of my dear friends is a missionary in Libieria supported through SIM
9. Celiac Disease Foundation
10. Autism SpeaksWhat

charitable organizations would you support?

Pour My Heart Out Wednesday:Feeling like the odd girl out

2011-08-10T11:13:00.006-05:00

For those of you who don't know, I have been strongly discouraged from having children due to serious (even life threatening) medical conditions. Even thought I would love to have a child of my own. I've always wanted a little boy-just like his daddy. Okay so adoption right? Well after long serious talks my husband and I have decided (at least for now) that adoption isn't for us. I am still job hunting and in the present state of the economy we don't think it would be fair to adopt a child without being able to properly care for him/her.

Well, last time I was at my sister in laws she said something that really bothered me. We we're talking about having kids. She told me that I will get to the point where all I think about is having a baby and that I will do anything to have one. Having a child makes you complete and whole she said. I was speechless when she told me this. I mean she did struggle many years with infertility and finally had my beautiful niece KK. But really?! do anything to have one? And it'll complete me?

Her comment upset me. I continued playing with my niece but when I got home I cried my eyes out, I feel out of place. In social circles I am often left out of conversations merely because I don't have any kids. I have even gotten to the point where I don't go to a lot of social functions because I would be the only one there without kids. Thankfully I have a couple of wonderful friends who have been on a similar journey with pregnancy and make sure and include me in a lot of things and make me feel welcome.

Then there is the church. They talk about about a woman's purpose is to raise a family. So if I am unable to do these things, does that mean I am incomplete and not whole? Yes I do want to have a child but is it worth possibly giving my life for? Does this mean I am less of a woman? Less off a child of God?

Would what my sister in law said bother you? Do you think a women has to have a child to be complete and whole?

Book Review: Too blessed to be Stressed

2011-08-09T04:00:00.015-05:00

I am reviewing this book for Litfuse Publicity Group. No additonal compensation was recieved.

About the Book:

Do your to do lists have footnotes? Has your fam suggested a rabies shot because your bite has surpassed Rover’s?

Maybe it’s time for a healthy dose of truth gift-wrapped in humor. With her own offbeat brand of wit and near-wisdom, inspirational humorist Debora Coty addresses the heart-needs of desperate women drowning in the churning everyday stress-pool of busyness.

In Too Blessed to Be Stressed, you’ll find simple, practical steps for attaining the peace that you crave as you struggle with the stresses of finances, health, career, relationships, self-image and family. You’ll discover healing, refreshment, and revitalization for your own spirit, body and mind through heart-changing real life stories, biblically based insights, and short chapters for on-the-run convenience.

My Review:

I love this book! It's a fun-light hearted way to address issues of stress that all women deal with. I love how the author intertwines faith and humor. The stores are short with questions at the end to help you dive deeper into this issues. I think this book is a must have for every woman. It helps us remember to laugh and to look to God and our faith when we are stressed. I am going to get this book for my girlfriends. I give this book a five out of five stars.

About the Author:

Debora M. Coty is a humorist, columnist, speaker, writing workshop instructor and award-winning author of over 100 internationally published articles and ten inspirational books. She has also contributed short stories and devotionals to numerous anthologies. Debora's passion is sharing her offbeat blend of humor and hope, wit and near-wisdom with women of all ages. As a piano teacher for twenty years, she acquired the skill of auditory long-suffering and has helped countless people as an occupational therapist specializing in orthopedics for over three decades. Mother of two grown children, Debora currently lives and loves in central Florida with her husband and desperately wicked pooch, Fenway.

To celebrate the release of her latest laugh-out-loud book, Too Blessed to Be Stressed, Debora Coty is hosting the Too Blessed to Be Stressed KINDLE Giveaway!

Too Blessed to be Stressed is a fun-filled read overflowing with insights and practical tips. Perfectly delicious for living happily ever after!
-Rhonda Rhea, best-selling author of Whatsoever Things Are Lovely

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

Debora has created a “Too Blessed” prize package worth over $150! One grand prize winner will receive:

* A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen

* Too Blessed to Be Stressed by Debora Coty (for KINDLE)

To enter just click one of the icons below. Hurry! The giveaway ends August 25th. Winner will be announced on the evening of the 18th during Debora's De-Stress Facebook Party! Debora will be hosting a "life-preserver" chat (it’s okay if you haven’t read the book – who knows, you might WIN a copy!), testing trivia skills, swapping funny stories, handing out some decom-stress tips, and giving away tons of great stuff! (Chocolate, books, and more!) Hope to see you there. Bring your friends and join the fun on August 25th at 5:00 PM PST (6 PM MDT, 7 PM CDT, & 8 PM EDT).

Also - be sure to check out Debora's series of Stress-Buster videos at her website:www.debcoty.com. She’s also hosting a photo caption contest on her blog for a chance to win a copy of Too Blessed to Be Stressed.

Jesus will meet my deepest need

2011-08-08T08:20:00.002-05:00

Someone sent me a copy of this poem and I just wanted to share it with everyone. I pray it touches your life the way it has mine. Have a great Monday

Jesus will meetmy deepest need . . .
Water for those who are thirsty
Bread for the hungry
Strength for the weak
Righteousness for the sinful
Healing for the wounded
Forgiveness for the guilty
Rest for the weary
A friend for the lowly
Fullness for the empty
Joy for the grieving
Peace for the troubled heart
Beauty for the scarred

He is . . .
Direction for those who don't know which way to go
Home for the rejected
Love for the unloved
Father for the fatherless
Husband for the widow
Freedom for those who have lost their way
A refuge for the fearful
Hope for the discouraged
Fruitfulness for those who are barren
Life for those who are dead

Christ is all I need.

Top 10: On a deserted island

2011-08-04T10:21:00.002-05:00

I thought that this would be a fun, easy post. Then I realized that there are no power sources on this deserted island. Which makes things a little more challenging but still fun. Here's what I'd bring

1. Contact case and solution- I can't see a thing without my contacts. I'm liable to run into a coconut tree without them.

2. Books-lots of books. Probably my favorite books like the Anne of Green Gables series, Harry Potter series and many many more (that still only counts as one right?)

3. My hubby-After I love him and he's my best friend. Besides I need someone to carry the firewood right?

4. My drawing stuff.-I'm sure on this deserted island there is lots of wonderful stuff to draw and paint. So I'll need my watercolors, my charcole pencils and my drawing books. That still only counts as 1!

5. A journal -I'm sure there will be all kinds of things to talk about. I mean I can't tallk to my husband the whole time!

6. A sleeping bag-The thought of sleeping on sand or rocks does not appeal to me at all!

7. A lighter-I'm not gonna rub two sticks together. That would take too much time and I have better things to do

8. Sunscreen- I am very fair skinned.

9. Tarp-I have no idea what the weather is gonna be like on this island. And I wanna be prepared

10. Hammock-to relax and enjoy life!

What 10 things would you bring with you if you were going to live on a deserted island?

Link up with us here:

VBS and Birthday

2011-08-03T06:34:00.000-05:00

VBS this year was amazing but also exhausting. I help my friend Super Sharon teach the Bible Story all week. Our theme this year was Construction Incorporated. It was yet another time I was grateful to be married to an electrician who has a ton of tools! They came in handy. Each day we talked about a tool such a nails, screws, paint .ect and how God uses them to work in our lives. We had about 80 kids. We divided them up into three different age groups to teach. Super Sharon and I team taught. That way we were always there to help. Here's a picuture of Super Sharon and I in our construction get ups.

Now on to my birthday. I'd like to thank everyone for their wonderful birthday wishes. Super Sharon even made me a gluten free birthday cake and brought it to VBS.

That was so sweet of her and tasty too. No gluten free cakes don't rise very much incase you are wondering. Yes I got some sweet gifts too but no tablet or Ipad. Instead I got a new dryer and hot water heater since they went out. Not the gifts I wanted but definitely needed. Well that's what's been going on with me. What's been going on with you?

Book Review: River's Song

2011-08-02T18:46:00.000-05:00

I am reviewing this book for Glass Road Public Relations

Book Summary:

Her relationship with her daughter in shambles and tensions mounting with her mother-in-law, Anna Larson returns to her childhood home on the banks of the Suislaw River to sort out her parent's belongings and put the pieces of her own life back together.

Embracing her native heritage for the first time since childhood Anna transforms her old family home into Shining Waters Inn, a place she hopes will give her family a new beginning.

River's Song is Book One in the Inn at Shining Waters series.

My Review:

This book was a joy to read. It was light and enjoyable. Melody Carson made me feel like I was there along the bank of the Suislaw River. This book does a wonderful job of addressing faith and healing from abuse. It is a beautiful and well written story. The novel also does a great job of reminding us that God will provide for us in His own timing. I thought the ending of the story was rushed. I would have loved to have more details about the conclusion of the story. Still I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

The Author:

Melody Carlson published her first book in 1995 and she has been writing prolifically ever since. To date, Melody has published over 200 books, making her one of the top 20 most prolific authors of all time. With total sales of over 1.4 million her award-winning books include: Homeward, Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon; Limelight; the Diary of a Teenage Girl series; the True Colors series; and the Charter House Girls series.

In her professional life, Melody has worn many hats: from pre-school teacher to political activist to senior editor. Currently, she writes full-time, and freelances from her home. She has two grown sons and lives in Sisters, Oregon with her husband, Chris, and Bailey, her chocolate lab. They enjoy skiing, hiking, and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

Book Review: A short life well lived

2011-08-01T08:52:00.001-05:00

I am reviewing this book for Glass Road Public Relations

Book Summary:

Brian O’Connor is a successful lawyer, loving husband, and devoted father. He also happens to be blind. Driven his entire life to be independent, Brian has achieved much, but he has been so busy proving his triumph over blindness that he hasn’t stopped to consider how his carefully crafted life can all come crashing down in an instant. When his young son is diagnosed with cancer, the long ensuing battle brings Brian to his knees as he comes to terms with his own limitations and his need for faith.

My Review:

This book tugged at my heart and was a page turner. Sometimes I had to remind myself that this book was fiction. Itis so well written that you you can imagine this is areally happening to your family. I can't imagine going through what Brian O'Connor did. For those of us who have dealt with cancer it churns up some powerful emotions. But I love the book does not end in dispair but hope . My favorite quote from the book is that "evey momment I'm given need to be appreciated, espceically the ones I spend with those I love." I think that this book is an excellent read for anyone.

The Author:
Tom Sullivan is an Emmy-nominated actor, singer, author, and producer, the "inconvenience" of being blind has never kept him from competing in a world where he has realized that to be equal, for him, meant that he must be better. His autobiography If you Could See What I Hear, was adapted into a major motion picture. Tom is now writing and producing for television and film.

See ya later gators!

2011-07-24T20:35:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to tell you guys that I'm gonna be a way from my computer this week. I am helping with VBS, my family in town and it's my birthday week. Needless to say I'm gonna be busy. I'm also gonna be working on my updating my blog. I hope everyone has a great week. See you soon! :)

Book Review: Branded

2011-07-18T11:51:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:
SEATTLE-The church has been commissioned to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. To that end, the church spends $1.5 million for every one new follower of Jesus. Yet Apple can sell 26 iPads every minute. In Branded: Sharing Jesus with a Consumer Culture (Kregel Books, June 2011, ISBN 9780825438943), radio personality Tim Sinclair shares his first hand observations about what makes Apple so exciting and Jesus so boring. In a word: marketing. Jesus is a life-changing product with lousy sales-people who are intimidated and embarrassed by the word "evangelism" and who show more enthusiasm for their gadgets than their God.

What would life look like if we stopped mass-marketing Jesus and started marketing our faith like Nike and Apple market their products--sharing relationally, from person to person? Using examples from these and other successful companies, author Tim Sinclair challenges Christians to throw out their casual attitudes toward faith and sign on for a marketing campaign for the Savior, to begin to see the benefits of relationship-building. Knowledge and information, void of relationship, don't sell many cars anymore--and they don't convert many non-Christians either. This book is an encouragement to allow your story, your experiences, and your gifts to reach those around you, rather than follow a generic three-step process for leading a stranger to Christ.

Written with the wit and wisdom of an experienced marketer, Branded peels away feelings of fear and encourages readers to share their faith in ways that are honest, authentic, and, most importantly, effective.

My Review:

This book is a small but powerful book. Less than 150 pages yet the author uses his humor and convictions to urge Christians to get serious about their faith. Tim Sinclair shows how to use the same techniques used by Apple, Nike and other well know brands; to share your faith. I really enjoyed this book. I found it enjoyable and convicting both at the same time. I recommend that every Christian to read this book to help encourage them them to share their faith in this social media age.

The Author

Tim Sinclair is a radio personality on one of the top Christian morning shows in the country, Mornings with Tim and Pam. For over a decade, he has been helping radio stations and various other businesses creatively and effectively market themselves. His award-winning productions have been heard on more than 2,000 radio stations worldwide and recent clients include McDonald's, Word Records, Moody Press, and the country's most-listened to Christian nonprofit radio station KSBJ/Houston. Tim has written for CCM Magazine and the Huntsville Times.

Top 10 Favorite Harry Potter Quotes

2011-07-17T21:21:00.000-05:00

These are my 10 Ten Favorite Quotes from the Harry Potter Series (books)

1.The truth is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with caution.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Spoken by Albus Dumbledore.

2.It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Spoken by Albus Dumbledore.

3.The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by an invader. The mind is a complex and many-layered thing.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Spoken by Severus Snape.

4.Hearing voices no one else can hear isn't a good sign, even in the wizarding world.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Spoken by Ron Weasley.

5.You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble? Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself plainly when you have need of him.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Alkaban
Spoken by Albus Dumbledore.

6.It's a strange thing, but when you are dreading something, and would give anything to slow down time, it has a disobliging habit of speeding up.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

7. I sometimes find, and I am sure you know the feeling, that I simply have too many thoughts and memories crammed into my mind.... At these times... I use the Pensieve. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from one's mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one's leisure.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Spoken by Albus Dumbledore.

8. Curiosity is not a sin.... But we should exercise caution with our curiosity... yes, indeed.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Spoken by Albus Dumbledore.

9.Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Spoken by Albus Dumbledore.

10. Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Spoken by Albus Dumbledore.

My love afair with Harry Potter

2011-07-15T04:00:00.002-05:00

This Friday the final movie in the Harry Potter Series will come out. This event will be a bitter sweet event for me. You see I have a love affair with Harry Potter. 7 novels, 10 years, 8 movies. I saw Harry Potter and the Scorcers Stone after listening to the audio book on trip home from college. I was instantly hooked. Since then I have purchased and read all the books as well as bought the movies in blu-ray and regular dvd. I am currently trying to get all the books in hardback now. I think I'm a little obsessed with Harry Potter don't you!?

Why do I love The Harry Potter series?
There's something magical about the story. J.K. Rowlings (the author of the Harry Potter series) has created a world with wizards and magic. To be able to wave a wand, same a spell and effect a magical change on some person, object, or situation. Also, they made me feel nine years old, in a way that reading the books or watching the films of my youth could never do now. It's not nostalgia.It's called new direction. I also love Harry Potter because the films are pretty faithful to the books, where it matters most. And I admire that. It happens so rarely. I usually love the book book and hate the movie but with this series I love both! Another thing I really love about the books is the characters are really believable and are extremely easy to fall in love with. I especially love the relationship between Harry and Ginny. I like that even through they are really meant for each other that they are able to let each other go for a time but still end up together in the end! I also love the relationship between Harry, Hermione, and Ron. I like that just are really loyal and genuinely love each other as friends. Something very hard to find and harder to keep in real life.

Needless to say I will have a package of tissues with me this Friday when I go to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. It will be like I am saying good bye to friends. However, I am thankful they will still live on in my heart.

What movies do you absolutely love and why do you love them ?

Google + ? The New Facebook?

2011-07-13T04:00:00.002-05:00

For those of you don't know Google + is on the scene. Everyone is calling the new social media "must have". Everyone that is but Google. In the company's announcement, you won't find the phrase anywhere. They instead use another "S" word: "sharing."

By not labeling Google+ as a "social network," Google has a point. Google+ is no more a social network than it is any number of other online communications media. Google+ is also an email service, blogging platform, micro-blogging site, news feed, video conferencing system, chat service, location-based social network and more. So why call it a "social network"?

I recently got added to Google + and I had mixed emotions about what I found. First thing I noticed is it's so much cleaner, crisper, and less cluttered than Facebook. No adds. Yeah.. It has five components: Circles, Hangouts, Instant Upload, Huddle and Sparks. The blurb explains that Circles allows you to assign your friends in an arbitrary number of "circles" – family, colleagues, poker buddies etc – "just like real life". Hangouts brings "the unplanned meet-up to the web for the first time. Let specific buddies (or entire circles) know you're hanging out and see who drops by for a face-to-face chat". Instant Upload means that your pictures and videos upload automatically to a private album, ready for sharing. Huddle is group text-chat, which apparently will be very useful "when you're trying to get six different people to decide on a movie". And Sparks is some kind of RSS feed on hyper drive. "Tell Sparks what you're into and it will send you stuff it thinks you will like."

Right now Google + is limited test form so it it not open to the public. However, if you would like to get an invite to Google+ just send me your email address and I'd be happy to send you an invite. If you are already on Google+ you can add me here

I think Google + is going to be a wonderful
What do you think of Google and it's many features?

I'm here! Well sorta...

2011-07-11T19:35:00.000-05:00

Hi! everyone! I hope your summer is going along speedily! I can't believe that we are almost half way through July! I just wanted to let you know that this weekend the Lady Bloggers Social Conference this weekend. It was so awesome! I learned so much and met so many phenomenal women! Ladies if you are not a member of the lady bloggers society you can find out more about it here. Guys I don't know if there's a men blogger society or not but it's a great way to network and meet people. I'm gonna be doing some major updating and changing on my blog. I am even thinking of starting a new blog. Not sure about everything yet but I'm super excited. Where do you go to network and meet fellow social media people and bloggers?

Top 10 Exercise Tips

2011-07-08T06:09:00.001-05:00

1. Start off strong but go easy on yourself. You didn’t get this way overnight so you’re not going to fix it overnight. Focus on establish an exercise routine and then get build up your workout.

2. Stay hydrated before, during and after your workout. You’re body needs it to stay cool.

3. Comfortable shoes can make or break a workout.

4. Don’t obsess about your weight. Focus on becoming healthier. If you do this the number will take care of itself.

5. Make a commitment to work out for 30 days. It doesn’t have to be every day but at least 2 a week. After you do something for 30 days it becomes a habit.

6. Make exercise YOUR time. When I’m working out I turn my phone to silent and don’t answer any text or anything. It’s my time to recharge my batteries!

7. If it’s nice exercise outside. It will give a nice change to your workout and a great way to soak up some sun.

8. Enjoy what your doing. If you don’t enjoy it you won’t follow through with it.

9. Workout with a buddy. Whether it be a two legged or four legged companion-it’s always fun to workout with someone else.

10. Before you start your first workout get a health assessment and get someone to explain to you how to use the machines. That way you will know what areas you need to focus on and how to use the machines properly.

ABCs of me

2011-07-06T16:03:00.000-05:00

I saw this on Life, Love and Librarianship and just had to copy it!

Age:32 on the 27

Bed Size: Queen

Chore I hate: dish washing. We don't have a dishwasher

Dog: I have a daschund name Sophie. I also have a cat named Rosie

Essential start of your day: Time by myself to focus my thoughts

Favorite color: Depends but usually blue, green, or purple.

Gold or Silver: Usually Silver but sometimes Gold.

Height: 5 feet, 11 inches

Instruments: I played clarinet. Right now I don't play anything.

Job title: Unemployed

Kids: Hopefully someday

Live: Deep in the heart of Texas

Mom's Name: Glenda

Nickname: Zena, CC, Amazon woman

Overnight hospital stays: surprisingly none

Pet Peeves: Ill behaved children in public

Quote from a movie: "Fiddle Dee-Dee! I'll worry about that tomorrow. " from Gone With the Wind one of my favorite movies of all time.

Right or left handeed: right

Siblings: I am the youngest out of five kids. I have 3 sisters and a brother.

Time you wake up: 5:00 am but in the summer I take naps. :)

Underware: Yes. At all times

Vegetables you dislike: beets, turnips, greens, Lima beans, radishes, and cabbage

What makes you run late: Usually I am not late. I set all my clocks ahread so I'll be on time to early but when I do run late it's usually because of my husband.

X-rays: my foot

Yummy food you make: sour cream and chicken enchiladas, humming bird cake, brownies and all kids of yummy desserts

Zoo animal: Lions because I'm a Leo and giraffes because they are tall and long legged like me! :)

What are the ABC's of you?

Fourth of July Poem

2011-07-01T11:02:00.000-05:00

I wrote this poem for Associated Content. This is the first time I've ever written a poem. It's a lot harder than I thought. I'd love to know what you think. I hope you like it.

Red, White and Blue

America so true

Red for blood split by those who sacrificed all for our freedom. All gave some and some gave all.

White for the sea foam from the ocean that sou rounds land from shore to shore. Peace and Prosperity.

Blue for the sky that connects our great land. Proud to be brave, strong and free

Fireworks, food, friends and fun. Stop and think that the fourth means just a bit more

Book Review: God and Stephen Hawking

2011-06-30T12:59:00.000-05:00

I am reviewing this book for Litfuse Publicity Group

Book Review:
The Grand Design, by eminent scientist Stephen Hawkings, is the latest blockbusting contribution to the "New Atheist" debate, and claims that the laws of physics themselves brought the universe into being, rather than God. In this swift and forthright reply, John Lennox, Oxford mathematician and author of God's Undertaker, takes a closer look at Hawking's logic.

In lively, layman's terms, Lennox guides us through the key points in Hawkings arguments-with clear explanations of the latest scientific and philosophical methods and theories and demonstrates that far from disproving a Creator God, they make his existence seems all the more probable.

My Review :
I have to admit I was intimidated when I first recived this book for review. I do not consider myself a scholar by any means. I decied to participate in the book review because I remembered my husband reading one of Stephen Hawking's books. I like the fact that it is a short book but the shortnessness of pages does not mean it has no debth. I found this book very easy to read. Lennox did a wonderful job of explaining complex theories in layman's terms. Although I did have to read a few passages twice to fully comprehend what was being discussed. I think this book will help many with the terminology being used by those who believe in only science and reason. I am hoping to reread this book soon with my husband so we can dissicus the theories presented in this book.
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to sharpen their faith and help understand current scientific and logical theories.

The Author
John C Lennox MA PhD DPhil DSc is professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Mathematics and the Philosophy of Science at Green Templeton College. He has debated Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens and lectured in many universities around the world.

Wordless Wednesday 6-29-11

2011-06-29T04:00:00.001-05:00

Words to Live by Volume 2

2011-06-27T12:00:00.008-05:00

Book Review: Forever After by Deborah Raney

2011-06-26T03:00:00.000-05:00

I am reviewing this book for Glass Road Public Relations

Book Description:

When a fire destroys a homeless shelter, Jenna Morgan looses her husband and Lucas Vermontez looses his father. Jenna struggles emotionally and financially as she tries to assemble the broken pieces of her heart and life. Her marriage to Zach was not based on love and her mother-in-law’s meddling just causes additional stress to her life. Jenna is trying to handle her grief on her own, apart from God.

Lucas, a Christian, was Jenna’s husband’s best friend. When Luc helps her move and invites her out for a bite to eat, he shares the peace he has found in the Lord. With her roots in poverty, Jenna collapses the mirage she has lived with Zach’s family, and finds her authentic self . Luc shows her that even though she may not have had love growing up in a fatherless home, God’s love through Jesus will give her a love forever after. Can these two find new reasons to live and love ?

My Review

Like the first book in this series, “Forever After” delves into the topics of forgiveness and faith. I alaways like it when the story points the readers to Christ.

I thought the story was predictiable and at spots very slow. Overall I would recomend it as a light , relazing read.

The Author

About the Author:

Deborah Raney's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched her writing career after 20 happy years as a stay-at-home mom. Her books have won numerous awards including the RITA, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, the Carol Award, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Deb also serves on the Advisory Board of the 2500-member American Christian Fiction Writers. Her 20th novel released this month from Howard/Simon & Schuster. She and her husband, Ken Raney, enjoy tending wildflowers and native grasses in the Kansas prairie garden in their large back yard. They also love traveling together to conferences, and to visit four children and three little grandsons who all live much too far away.