Summer Reading Challenge

I got this over at Ramblings from Life....
She is a book lover, just like me. How could I pass this opportunity up? My goal is 15 books. I promise to keep y'all posted on my progress.
C'mon, join us.... there's nothing on tv but reruns anyway...... :)



Join the Challenge


Come join the Summer Reading Challenge sponsored by Ramblings From Life (hey that's me!)

This will be so fun! Here are the guidelines:

This is not a contest. This is not a race. This is simply encouragement to READ more. It's not about quality or quantity so much. After all, when our kids see us read, we encourage them to read. And exercising our brains is good too. It's really just about celebrating your love of reading and trying to read more.

The challenge starts June 1 and will end on Labor Day (September 3). Respond to this post with the number of books you plan to read. Then post on your own blog about this challenge and invite others to join. I will post weekly or bi-weekly my own progress and what books I have read. Feel free to do the same. And late joiners are always welcome so do not feel you have to be married to the June 1 start date.

Again, remember this is NOT a contest nor a race. This is just about trying to read more.

Have fun!!

Just another reason I love Sarah Jessica Parker!

Shhh.. don't tell, but I was on Oprah.com at work today and found the most delightful surprise!
Read on or visit www.oprah.com to see for yourself.
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Sarah Jessica Parker launches her clothing line, Bitten.
Style icon Sarah Jessica Parker has taken her passion for fashion to a new level! This summer, she's launching Bitten—her own low-price, high-fashion line available exclusively at Steve & Barry's stores. Everything in the collection comes in sizes 2–22 and costs less than $20!

"It's about affordable, well-made American sportswear. It's about fashion not being a luxury," she says. "It's really, really important to us that it be good, feel good, have a life, that it make a difference in your life and that you have money left over to live."

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I don't know how to create a direct link to Oprah's website, but you should check out the clothes! I love them, especially the cute, inexpensive shoes!
Now, if I could just locate a Steve and Barry's store...... road trip anyone?

**Note** I got on Steve and Barry's website and there is a store in St. Ann, MO. I don't know where that is exactly, but I do know that it is within 60 miles. Definitely within a day's drive for cute shoes, less than $10!!!

Hardly at Work

I am completely unmotivated today!

I am sitting at work reading blog archives.
I think the tax payers of St. Louis would be upset to know this is how I am spending my time.

I should really walk away from the internet.

Cheating?

I was reading an article the other day, basically asking the question "how do you define cheating in a relationship?".

Hmmmm..... of course, physical contact is one major way I define cheating, but the article prompted me to think deeper. Is it only cheating if you have defined your relationship as exclusive? Is it only cheating after the "I love you's" have been said? In marriages, or any serious relationships, where do you draw the "cheating curve"?

Would it be considered cheating if your spouse took a co-worker of the opposite sex on a lunch date and paid for their meal? Is it considered cheating for a wife to send emails to a man she met online? Do you define cheating as looking at another person and thinking how attractive they are? Is flirting stepping over the lines? Is it cheating if you flirt once or does the flirting have to be consistent and with the same person? Is it wrong for a husband to look at the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue?

My husband and I got into the discussion. Where do we draw the lines of faithfulness vs. cheating? At first it seemed like he was going to say "once you cross the physical line, it is considered cheating", but after further probing he changed his mind. I think men tend to think cheating is physical, but women may look at the physical and mental/emotional aspects. So, if we don't define cheating to our spouse/partner, how can we be absolutely sure that we are remaining faithful to our spouse, according to their definitions? One wife may be fine with her husband having a one on one lunch with a female co-worker, while another wife may define this as cheating.

It's just a thought.. the article was interesting. I'm wondering your thoughts on the subject. Where do you draw the line? Leave me a comment and let me know! :)



PS. This post is in no way, shape or form, a result of anything Keith and I are personally experiencing! (smiles!)

Just a Couple of Cards

Erin, over at Deep Thoughts, inspired me to make my own cards. She had a post that showed a card she made, as well as some scrapbook layouts. I love scrapbooking and homemade gifts, so why haven't I tried to make my own cards in the past? So many time I have been in Hallmark, searching for that perfect card, never to find it. Of course, it never occured to me to actually make my own cards.

I decided to give it a whirl. I am pleased with my first attempts, but know that I can do even better. I had so much fun making these. Thanks Erin, for the inspiration!

Here are the outsides of my 1st two attempts.....

What Love Language Do You Speak?

I just finished a book called "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. I wish everyone would read this book. I can see it's content being able to help so many couples.

The suggestion of the book is that everyone has a "love language" that they speak. There are 5 main love languages:
1. Words of Affirmation
2. Quality Time
3. Acts of Service
4. Gifts
5. Physical Touch
Every person has a primary love language- this is the way that need love to be expressed to them. If a person is receiving love in their primary love language, their "love tank" will be full. Empty love tanks=problems.

For example, a wife's love language is quality time, but her husband's love language is acts of service. Let's pretend they aren't aware of love languages. In order to feel loved, she will need her husband to spend quality time with her. He will be demonstrating his love by doing dishes, cleaning the car, folding laundry. He will think that he is showing love by doing these acts of service, but that is not what his wife needs in order to feel loved. Does this make sense? If it doesn't, read the book- trust me, it is gooood!

So, of course I am trying to figure out what our love languages are. I am pretty sure my primary love language is Quality Time. Acts of Service must be my second language. Most of all, I want Keith and I to spend Quality Time together, just the two of us, having a long conversation, listening and supporting one another. If we don't have quality time together, I really miss him and my love tank level drops.

I am not sure what Keith's love language is. I am hoping that he will read the book and let me know what he thinks. Sometimes I think his love language might be Words of Affirmation. I say this because Keith is always showering me with affirming comments. I think that people must try to show love in the ways they wish to receive it. He thinks his might be Physical Touch or Quality Time but I still want him to read the book.

I was talking to my friend, Beth, about the book. She had a great idea- applying the love languages to friendships as well. She told me what her love language is Words of Affirmation. So, I know that Beth needs Words of Affirmation in order to keep her "friend love tank" full. What a great idea, to use the languages in friendships, not just with our spouses! They also have a book about Love Languages for children.

On an exciting note, the author of The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman, is going to be speaking at a one day seminar in St. Louis in July! I want to register us for the day. I am sure that we would walk away with a better understanding of each other and what we can do to make our spouse feel as loved and appreciated as possible. The seminar seems like a great investment.

So, what's your love language?
Take the quiz at this link to find out (or read the book).

I feel loved when...

The Five Love Languages

My Primary Love Language is Quality Time

My Detailed Results:
Quality Time:	10
Acts of Service:	8
Words of Affirmation:	5
Physical Touch:	4
Receiving Gifts:	3

About this quiz

Unhappiness in relationships is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. It can be helpful to know what language you speak and what language those around you speak.

Tag 3 people so they can find out what their love language is.

Take the Quiz!
Check out the Book

Leave me a comment, I'd love to read about it!

Bad Aim

Yesterday I went to Barnes and Noble with a few co-workers. I had to use the restroom, so I found the public bathrooms. My stall was out of seat covers, so I had to use the tried and true "hover method". I finished going #1 and turned around to flush the toilet.

OOPS!

I had completely missed the toilet and my pee was all over the floor.
I had white pants on and immediately pulled up my pants lets, hoping they were still dry. I cleaned up what little mess I made on the seat, washed my hands and walked as quickly as I could out of that bathroom.

Luckily, my pants were still dry.
Next time I will have to use the "toilet paper on the seat method".
Apparently my aim is not to be trusted.

Mother's Day

A mom is a very special person. She should demonstrate integrity, honesty, faithfulness, compassion, humor, and love. She has to be able to discipline, yet be fun loving at the same time. She has to watch her children make mistakes, but be confident in the fact that they will learn from their mistakes and grow stronger because of them. She will know joy and heartache as a result of her children. A mom spends her life watching her sons and daughters become who they were meant to be.

Since I am not a mom, it is sometimes difficult for me to grasp the overwhelming-ness of being a mom. I imagine it to be one of the most rewarding, yet difficult roles in life. I do believe that God chooses very special women for this task.

I believe He chose one of the most special women to be my mom.
She is simply amazing. She raises two daughters on her own. I have no idea how hard it was to work full time, and then come home to two little girls, make dinner, do laundry, give baths, pay bills, grocery shop, and put us to bed, only to get up the next day and start it all over again. I suppose my mom spend a good chunk of our childhood wishing for just a few more minutes of sleep! (smiles)
Even though she was a single mom, she always made time for us. She did little things that made us feel like we were the most special little girls on the earth. She would mow a baseball diamond into the backyard so we could run the "bases". She would let us help plant marigolds in the front yard. She took us on bike rides and the beach. She always gave us hugs and kisses and told us how much she loved us.

Sometimes I think that my mom wishes things could have been different for us. Sometimes I think she wishes we had our dad around or she didn't have to work so much. I want my mom to know that I wouldn't change a thing about our upbringing. I believe that my sister and I had a wonderful and loving home to grow up in. I want my mom to know that I appreciate all she sacrificed for us. I will always be grateful to her. I will probably never fully grasp all she endured to raise us.

I can't be with my mom today, on this day we honor our mothers. I hope that she feels honored not only today, but every day.
I am thankful for the example she set for me. I hope to follow in her footsteps one day with my own children.
Thank you Mom, for all you have done and all you continue to do. I love you always!
May God continue to bless you for all that you do for others!!!

Happy 8th Birthday!!

It is a busy month for us! Lots of babies and birthdays!

Today is a very special day- my niece, Riley, turns 8 today. 8 years ago, Keith and I were in Memphis for Memphis in May. We had a late night, but got a call about 5:00am from my grandma, telling us that my sister was going to have a c-section around 7:00am. Well, in spite of about 2 hours of sleep, we started the long drive back to Decatur. Actually, I shouldn't say "we", I should say Keith. He is so incredible. He drove the entire trip and let me sleep until we got to Cape Girardeau, MO. (See why I married him?!?!)

I have been so fortunate to share every little aspect of my Riley's life. She is a very special little girl. She is intelligent and creative. She has a great fashion sense. She is stubborn and sometimes impatient. She loves dragons and Pet Shops. She is kind and funny. She shares my love of reading (YEAH!) And, of course, she is just beautiful.

I can remember her 1st birthday, her 1st trips to the zoo, the 1st tooth she lost, her 1st day of school... time goes by so quickly. Pretty soon we'll be celebrating her Sweet 16.


Happy Birthday Riley.
I love you very much sugar-bum!

Welcome to the World!

These are a few picutres of our new niece, Ella Marie. She was born yesterday afternoon. 19 1/2 inches long, 8 lbs 9 oz, and a ton of light brown hair! She was sleeping the entire time we visited yesterday, so I am anxiously awaiting the moment I can get a picture of her with her little eyes open. We will have a chance to spend time with her at home this weekend, so I am sure the opportunity will arise then. She is a beautiful little girl and mommy and daddy are so proud!

The first picture is Ella with her daddy and the second picture is of Miss Sleeping Beauty, herself.

Baby Ella

My SIL, Amy, is being induced today. Actually, it is possible that she is being induced right now, as I type. Her appointment was scheduled for 7:30 am. Amy's due date wasn't until May 12, but her doctor decided that if things weren't progressing naturally, he would induce on May 9.

So, we could be blessed with our 2nd niece today. I can't wait to meet, hold, and kiss Baby Ella!
I'll post more on Amy's progress as we find out......

***Keith just called and Amy is going to have a c-section. Lil Ella wasn't positioned properly, so they decided against a vaginal birth. I haven't heard anything yet, but I think they started to prep her around 1:30.***

***Keith just called again! Baby Ella has arrived. I don't have all the details, but I do know that she is 8lb. 7oz, has tons of hair and quite a pair of lungs on her. Amy is in recovery and they are taking Ella's footprints right now. I can't wait to see her tonight.***

She's a tease

My dear friend Nicole posted that she was going to get back in the game, the blogging game that is. She posted this in the beginning of March.
I have been checking her page almost daily in hopes that she has started blogging again. No luck.
But, I know for a fact that she is done with finals as of this week. This brings me new hope- she won't have to study, so she will have time to post!
C'mon Nicole, I have been impatiently waiting!

SURPRISE!

My mom turned 50 on April 17. I believe that everyone should have at least one surprise birthday party, and a 50th birthday is the perfect opportunity.
So, with the help of my stepdad and sister, I planned a surprise party for my mom.
At first I was a bit anxious because my mom isn't the "party" type. She doesn't like crowds and the center of attention. But, she said something to me on her birthday that made me believe that she would really be glad that we threw her this party.

So, everything was going as planned. She knew that I would be in Decatur that weekend. She expected me to spend the day with my friend Beth. She had no idea that I was really decorating the hall for her party. Oh, did I mention that the week of the party we learned that the "hall" had changed locations? The address written on the invitations was the incorrect address so we had to call everyone invited and let them know that the location had changed?!? That was a bit stressful.


We had to tell my mom a few lies, but we pulled it off!!! She had absolutely no idea about the party! She was definitely surprised. When she hugged me after her arrival, she whispered "I'm going to kill you later", through her smile. She wanted to open her presents and eat her cake right after dinner so she could "hurry up and get this over with". When I think back about how nervous she was I can't help but laugh.

We had a timeline of my mom's life- starting with April 17, 1957 (Donna born, also in 1957-Sputnik launched into space) and going through the years to 2007. We also did a slideshow of pictures of my mom through the years. She loved that part of the party!!!

The morning after the party she kept saying "that was the best party ever" and "I had such a good time" and "thank you". She really enjoyed herself after the party was over.

I had to promise never to throw her another surprise party! But, it was totally worth it!

Anxiously Awaiting

I am so excited for tomorrow!
Karen Kingsbury, my new favorite fiction author, is releasing her new book! The first book of the Sunrise series! I have posted about her life-changing Redemption Series and this is the second spin-off series.

I will be speeding to Borders, with my $5 off coupon in hand, right after work tomorrow.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore Toto!

Ah, I love spring in the midwest.
It was 91 degrees on Monday, rained for the next 4 days and now we are under a tornado warning!

Beyond Ridiculous

Ok, about a week ago I was driving to work, listening to Joy FM on the radio (97.7 for St. Louisians). The morning show hosts were talking about a lawsuit. Not just any lawsuit- the most RIDICULOUS lawsuit I have ever heard of! Here is a very condensed version...

Apparently there is a man (a lawyer/judge) who went to the same dry cleaners for years. They lost a pair of his pants. He is suing this little company for $65 million! That's right, you read it correctly, the man is suing $65 million dollars for a pair of lost suit pants! They said he has justified the amount, including over $1,000 to replace the suit, as well as a rental car/gas/insurance once a week for 10 years! He had to rent a car to drive to a new dry cleaners across town. He lives in D.C. and the other dry cleaner was within walking distance of his house. The dry cleaner's offered him 3 different settlements, up to $12,000, I think. He refused all 3 offers.

This is just crazy to me. He should never be allowed to take this case to court! As a matter of fact, he should have to reimburse the tax dollars he has wasted with this petty, childish lawsuit. Let them replace the pants and be done with it.

Geez!

National Day of Prayer

Just a reminder that today is National Day of Prayer.

Take a moment to pray for our country and our leaders; locally, statewide and nationally.