Thursday, December 20, 2007

I'm still here...

Well, sort of.

This Christmas program is consuming all of my time.

I finished writing the last part about 2 weeks ago. There's nothing like waiting until the last minute. So the "heavy duty" practices started - and so did the costuming. I was ok until I saw these. They're so beautiful. I had to make my own pair. (I'll post pics of the program next week.)

Needless to say, I've been attached to my hot glue gun for the last few days. It's been interesting. I bought the feathers from these wonderful people, and have been gluing feathers to the "skeleton" for the angel wings. They should be done tonight. Mom said she would bring her van over so that I don't have to try to fit them into the back end of my car. Then, it's on to everything else that needs finished.

It's hard to tell someone how to help you when you have a picture of what you want in your head (and need to try to figure out how to complete that picture in real life), so I've not had much help. That's ok, but it's starting to wear me out. I finally gave some stuff to my Aunt, BA. She's on the crafty side of things. She's helping me with turning a clear glass jar/boxy-thingy into an "Alabaster Box". That should be some fun.

Has anybody out there used acrylic glass paint?

Anyway, I ony have a few other things to finish, but I had a kink thrown in the plan. Tuesday night, long after the costumes had been picked out, I remembered that there were 2 more people to outfit with costumes that weren't there for Sunday's rehersal. Here's the problem: someone has done something to all of the costumes. We only found 11 regular costumes. There were about 20 angel costumes that would fit all of the little kids, but no other adult costumes. So, BA is helping me with those as well. I bought a pattern and fabric yesterday and she's going to whip those together for me. I will check a couple of other hiding spots tonight after choir practice, but I'm not sure that I'm going to find anything. So I'm covering my back-side.

I'll probably be swamped between now and Christmas, so y'all have yourselves a very merry Christmas. And remember the reason for the season is Jesus.

Thank you, Father, for my interweb friends. I ask that You would be close to each of them. Help us to keep our focus on You. That You would be praised from each of us and from the bottom of our hearts. Help us to see what we already have, without all of the presents, because it's just stuff. Help us to remember those who don't have, and help us to be generous to them, because that could be us. May we truly be thankful for You sending the most precious gift ever given - Your Son, Jesus. May we praise You more through the coming year. May we never fail to take the opportunity to witness to someone about You - and when necessary, use words. Thank You for all that You do for us - even when we don't see it or feel it. Help us when we fail You. Keep us sweet in our souls. In Jesus name, Amen.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Nothing like a short break...

...to clear your head.

I had hit a writing "brick wall". I just couldn't write anything else. I still had one monologue to finish and connect the last person with the finale - and I just couldn't do it.

So, I "got the heck out of Dodge" and went on a mini-vacation. Mind you that every "vacation" we take, we end up doing some kind of work. This one was no different.

We went to Charlotte, NC to work in the Operation Christmas Child processing center. This is the third year that we've gone down to work. The first 2 years, we worked directly with the shoeboxes. I liked working in the "pre-sort" area. This is where volunteers go through each shoebox and take out the money for shipping. (Note: There are locked trunks that the money is inserted into and police on site to make sure that everyone stays honest.)

This year, we decided to do something a bit different. There are wonderful companies like Crest, McDonald's, and Star-Light candies that donate stuff to help fill the boxes - just in case someone only puts in a barbie doll. Guidepost magazine also gets into the act. They ask their readers that knit or crochet to go to their website, print the pattern, and knit or crochet sweaters. Then, you send the sweaters to Guidepost and they send the sweaters on to the OCC processing centers. Martha Stewart would say that "it's a very good thing".

On Friday (day after Turkey Day), I folded the knitted or crocheted sweaters that had been made by the Guidepost readers. I made a VERY small dent in the amount of cartons left to be sorted and folded - even though I folded and sorted about 14 cartons of sweaters. On Saturday, C & I started with the Crest Spiderman Spinbrushes. We took out 3 pallets of these things. Two of the pallets had about 1,000 or more toothbrushes on them. Then, I started in on the Happy Meal toys along with some rather large "Larry the Cucumber" stuffed animals (I know, he's a vegetable not an animal. It's a descriptive thing.) Anyway, I think there were about 5 pallets (5 foot tall) gone by the time I left. C made a nice dent in the pencil-head erasers while I took out those Barbie Happy Meal toys.

On a side note, C said that if anyone at The Plant asked what he did over the weekend, he was going to tell them that he played Barbie's with his wife. I think he might have been Skipper. cause I'm not going to be anybody but Barbie herself.

Well, 2 days of physical work can do wonders for your mental/creative constipation. I think I might be able to finish the part I got stuck on last week and finish the end of the program. (Nothing like waiting till the last minute.)

Please continue to pray for me that I'll write what God wants me to write and keep the program focused on worship. (That's been the theme for the whole thing and I had been wavering with this last part.)

See y'all later...

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Moving on...

I'm surprised that I didn't have any response to the last post, but oh, well.

Moving right along...

I didn't get any real good pics from Family Week, although there are a few good shots of S.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we had Randy Skeens up to preach. He's just sooooooo good. The Lord confirmed a few things through his sermons on those 3 nights. Thursday night was Movie Night. We watched "Facing the Giants". Excellent movie - and it went along with the sermons that Randy preached earlier in the week. Isn't that just like God. Friday night was bowling. We rented the whole bowling alley - and it was full! I was impressed. Saturday night was Thanksgiving dinner.

This week brings a whole new set of plans. IT'S OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD COLLECTION WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please check out the link. Get involved. It's a wonderful thing.

I will have some pics from collection week. Yesterday, we had a group visiting from Budapest, Hungary. They've helped with the distribution of OCC shoeboxes in previous years. They've never seen what happens on this end. It was really cool! They got to pack individual boxes, pack those boxes into cartons and load the cartons onto the Roadway trailer that's sitting in the church parking lot. They also held a concert last night. It was beautiful! I'll have some pics from that, too.

I'm also still working on writing the Christmas program for our teens. I'm almost done. It's been something that I've had to "labor" over. Creatively giving birth to something can make life miserable, but this has just been such a rich experience. I can't wait until the program. We might even do it again next year. =)

I'll be back with some pics from OCC Collection Week.

BTW, leave me a comment. Let me know where you're reading from.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Welcome-fest

I've never had one of these before, but there's a first time for everything.

Even if you just pop in for a brief visit, leave me a comment and let me know where you're from.
This should be fun! I'll start us off.

"Hi! My name is AuntieB, and I'm from Thundering Herd Country, WV!"

What's your name and where are you from?

Monday, November 5, 2007

The rest of the story...

We absolutely had a blast keeping S last weekend. Sister and Boyfriend went to see a movie Sunday afternoon, but I told her that I'd need to leave early that day. C & I were taking the youth group to see Judgement House. (Sorry. The link for that promo is gone. So I'll just have to tell you about it.)

Judgement House is a drama put on at Halloween at Christ Temple Church. They do a fantastic job!

Anyway, what happens is you travel in a group from room to room and see different scenes acted out. The first 6 rooms are background to the last 2 rooms. In the first 6 scenes, you see the decisions that are made, dynamics between different people and what happens in this life as a result of some of those decisions. The last 2 rooms are where the real spiritual impact happens.

The first depicts hell. There isn't anything you can dramatize that would actually portray what it will be like, but this room is eye opening. You get to see the ultimate consequence for the decisions (or lack of a decision) that were made before death. It's rather blunt in its portrayal, but there's no other way to be. Sometimes, people need a "good dose of reality" about what will happen if they make poor choices or no choice at all. There's a chain-link fence to seperate the audience from the action, but there's one point where "Satan" addresses the audience directly. If someone were under conviction while in this room, I don't think there would be any question about what decision would be made about eternity. The choice would be clear.

The second room depicts heaven. Yet again, nothing will compare. This room is really neat. Not only do you get to experience a taste of what will be, but each person gets a hug and an "I love you" from Jesus. It can be quite emotional for those who've lost someone close to them recently. And sometimes, it's just good to get a reminder of what's waiting after this struggle is over.

The staff sets up a room at the end where an "altar call" is given. They have trained counselors that assist those who need to talk, need a word, or just need to pray for someone else. It wouldn't be complete if this opportunity wasn't given to each group that goes through.

We didn't have anyone go to counseling rooms, although we have in years past. And that's ok. A decision might be made at a later date. I just pray that when it's made, it's not too late.

We've got "Family Week" at church coming up (I'll post some pics later), and then it's Operation Christmas Child Showbox Collection Week.

If you don't know about this program, please visit the link and get some info! It's worth it! If you already participate, "Thank You!" from the kids who get boxes. If you've never packed a shoebox, visit the site. Get the info. Pack a box. Find a collection center. There's a directory on the website. Drop off your box, but stay a while and see others bring their boxes too! You can change lives with the power of one shoebox!

What are you still doing here? Go to the OCC web site. Go shopping. Get out of here!!! But please come back later (after you've gone to the dollar store). I'm sure there's another story lurking around in my brain somewhere. See you later!!!

Thursday, November 1, 2007

A Funny

lolcats and funny pictures
moarfunny pictures


Just thought y'all would enjoy a little Halloween humor. Too funny.

Monday, October 29, 2007

I've been to the land of Oz...

I'm kidding......sorta.



Well, I knew we (me, Mom, & Bop) were going out of town for a conference meeting. You know, where there are a few churches that get together every quarter and discuss items of business that pertain to that particular bunch of people in that particular area of the state.

So, we made a 2 hour drive on Friday evening. We were still about an hour away, but we figured getting 2 hours of it out of the way made much more sense. Since we were about to go into the middle of nowhere for this thing.

Anyway, we did ok finding the place, but it was an adventure getting there. We started on a 4-lane split highway. We turned off that onto a 2-lane road - not bad. We turned off that road onto a 1-3/4 lane road - getting a bit nervous. You stay on that road for 4.2 miles. 4.2 MILES?!?!?! WE'RE GOING TO BE OUT IN THE STICKS!!!!!!!!! (nothing against country folks, but I'm a city girl) Well, after 4.2 MILES, it said you'd see "Cokely's barn" on the right and then make a left at the "Y" intersection and go another 2-something miles.

Cokely's barn? We'd already passed 892,375 barns since we turned off the 2-lane road! None of the other barns were labeled with the owner's name. Were we supposed to know these people?!?! Well, much to my amusement, this one was labeled. =) So, we made the left at the "Y". Then the road went from 1-3/4 lane down to 1-1/4 lane. In the curves, it was only 3/4 of a lane. I was afraid - VERY AFRAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I told Mom that if anybody showed up in bibbed overalls, I was out of there. And in a hurry!!!

We had a good time at the conference (and to my relief no one showed up in bibs). Then, we made our way home. 3 hours later, we pull into Mom's driveway. Now, it's on to doing Sister's hair for a Halloween party she was going to.

I finished Sister's hair at 9:30. They were going to be up very late, I'm sure.

To complete the evening, we piled S into the carseat and made a break for the nearest Wendy's, hit the interstate (quickest route) and down the road to the Pumpkin House. You can see pics here and here. It's really cool in person. S had a blast and we had a blast watching her.

I'll be back with the rest of the story. Until then, you can just call me Paul Harvey.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Musical Happenings

Well, the kids in the Youth Group started working on different projects for the State Bible, Music & Arts Competition for the 2007-08 year. It's hard to work with the kids during regular youth meeting. I've got kids who can't do competition - they're too old and out of high school. Sometimes that is disruptive. So, we'll be having other practices.

Let me see if I can remember what everybody's doing.

C (E's niece - from the younger class) - probably a vocal solo.

E (one of "my girls") - vocal solo, photography, choir, and puppets. I'm going to see if she'll enter in poetry and piano, too. She could do really well with those.

M (another one of "my girls") - 7th grade Bible Memorization, choir, puppets, and maybe some art or a solo.

S (yet another, "my girls") - 8th grade Bible Memorization, vocal solo, choir, puppets, and I'm not sure what else. She's been out playing volleyball with her school.

D (one of "my guys") - trombone solo, choir, puppets, and powerpoint. There might be something else thrown in later.

E (D's brother) - 8th Grade Bible Memorization, choir, and puppets. He might work on something else, too.

There are a few other kids who I've not talked to about doing something for this year's competition, but we'll see what happens. I think there will be more entries.

This year is unlike any other year with these kids. The National Competition will be in our state! This also means that State Competition will be bigger than it's been in years past. It also makes the kiddos waaaaaaaaaay more nervous.

I think we may have to come up with one more bible entry. I'm not sure.

Anyway, I've already picked out the music for D's trombone solo. I had to transpose and convert the music for him into bass clef and into the key of F. It took about 45 minutes. He'll be playing "He Leadeth Me" with "Farther Along". Like a medley. I'll be playing backup on piano. E is singing "At the Foot of the Cross" with "His Life for Mine". The choir song hasn't been picked out yet, but the last thing they worked on was "Word of God, Speak" by MercyMe. They sounded pretty good. S was working on a solo for last year and ran out of time. It was "If" by Nicole Nordeman. She might do that this year.

They want to do a Christmas program. I'll be writing it. I can't ever find a program that has the right number of parts for the number of kids I have.

E, M, & S are working with the Children's Church program during morning worship on Sundays. E said that the younger kids want to do a program, too. I told E I'd help where I could - which may mean playing for their program. And I also found out that the choir director (E's dad), will start having practice for the adult program.

As you can see, things are going to get quite interesting over the next few months. We also have "Family Week" coming up a week from Sunday at church. Sunday morning, I'll be singing with Mom & Bop. Then, I'll be singing with Mom, Sister, S (my niece - age 4), and Mom suggested that we (Mom, Sister & me) sing one of the songs we sung when Mom took us to Israel.

Then, right after "Family Week", we'll convert the fellowship hall into the Operation Christmas Child collection center. Did I hear somebody say that they'd never heard about OCC?!?! Click on the link and check them out! They're a fantastic organization!

Well, I believe that I've loaded you down with more info that you'd ever want to read in one post. So, I'll see you later.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

That makes me a happy girl...

So I went to check out this new doctor this morning. It made me quite nervous.

But apparently, there were a few of you out there who remembered that I'd asked for prayer about this. Thank you!

This guy is great. Even the PA student he had in there was great. They were both a little unnerved when I told them that I wanted to change docs when I told them that I had asthma and that doc #1 (in the same facility, different dept. Doc #1 is in internal medicine. Doc #3 is in family practice.) only listened to my lungs one time in the last year. He kinda shot me a look that said "Why didn't you switch earlier?!?!?!"

He changed none of my meds (yeah!). He's leaving me on the Flexaril (yippee!!!!! it's the only thing keeping the pain at bay). He's pushing to get me the appointment with an OBGYN to get the "girlie gut" thing checked on.

He did manage to give me one "frown-y face sticker". My cholesterol was too high the last time I had blood drawn for a full panel screen. He's given me 6 months to see what I can do.

I guess it's diet time, girls! Wish me luck - I'll keep you posted.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Sorry to leave you hanging...

I realized that I'd not posted anything real after asking for prayer.

Those of you who prayed for me, thank you. Emotionally I wasn't in a good place. Soemthing was said during a "heated discussion" that had never been said in the 11 years we've been together. It hurt me deeply.

Things are getting better in that area. Not great, but better.

We're struggling with a few other things right now, too. The majority of these has to do with my health. I'm only 30, but I feel like I'm 80. That may sound like the majority of you, but since I was in a car wreck about 4-1/2 years ago, I've not felt like me. My thoughts are very scattered.

Sometimes, it's almost unbearable to live with.

I go see a new Dr tomorrow morning at 7:30 (EST). If you're up then, would you whisper a little prayer for me. This will be the third new doctor in the last 2 years.

The first doctor got the boot when she was only dealing with one problem at a time. Me, I have multiple problems and she just wasn't paying attention or listening to what I was telling her. The second doc didn't get the boot. She actually listened to what I was saying and diagnosed appropriately, but she was leaving the week after I saw her to work at another facility. (insert boo's and sniffles right here) The third is the recommendation of the second doc. I feel ok about that.

I had undergone some testing last year. They were trying to figure out what's wrong with my "girlie guts" (those are C's words, btw). They found fibroids and ovarian cysts, but wouldn't rule out endometriosis, but wouldn't pursue it any further. Grrrrrrrrr.

They also did a sleep study. That determined that I have RLS (restless leg). I could've told them that. I tried Requip, since it was the "hot" new drug for RLS. Only it didn't work. It just made me sick. Like driving down a straight stretch of road and getting motion sick. Forget about taking a country road anywhere. Even the interstate was awful! Doc #1 "just couldn't believe that anyone was allergic to that drug. Nobody else has told me about that." - well, let me tell you a little something, sister - I'M NOT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE!! THAT'S WHY WE'RE CALLED INDIVIDUALS!!! And nothing else was ever recommended to be taken to manage the RLS.

Anyway, the body pain is manageable. Not great, but manageable. The other pain is not the worst it has ever been. I'm still not sleeping well. Which could be attributed to the fact that my sleep cycle has been interrupted by this burly guy who likes to sleep cockeyed in the bed and kicks and flops and wants to sleep where I'm trying to lay. I got used to having the "big bed" to me, myself, and I. It's a little crowded with just us in there. You add C, and you've got a whole other ballgame. You'd think sleeping in a King size bed we'd have plenty of room. NO! (insert a little "teenage" eye-rolling) Arms and legs are everywhere - and it's just the 2 of us.

Just pray for us. Things are a little tight financially (C's pay schedule went crazy when he got put on The Plant's payroll, but it's getting better). Things are a little crazy emotionally. Things are a lot irritating with my health (I know that's not good grammar, but humor me).

But there's a song that I sing with my group. The chorus says, "It's been a long journey, but I have been blessed. Walking with Jesus, I have no regrets. He is so good to me, I must confess. The way has been long, but I'm blessed!"

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My sould shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried our, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who hear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" Psalm 34: 1-8 (NKJV)

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

How much are you worth???

How much are you worth?
HumanForSale.com - For sale by owner!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

I have no title for this...

I just need you to pray for me.

I'm having an "off" day. Things just aren't quite right. Not sure what's going to make it better.

I know I'm being dramatically vague, but I just can't go in to the details.

It's just a bummer of a day.

Thanks.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Lookie!.....Pics!

Pics from Retreat. I hope you enjoy. The first pic is the pulpit. The other flowers in the sanctuary were just like these.



This is Patty Ross. She plays a 12-string guitar. She writes her own songs - and they are beautiful.

This is one of me and my girls doing sign language to "I Can Only Imagine". I sang and the girls did most of the sign language. They did real good. Love those girls.

I told you guys how excited I was to be invited to sing with Kyla Rowland. Here's the proof that I did, in fact, sing with her - and her sweet husband, Bob. I can really "let her rip" with them. They like to sing loud. I do too!

This is Kyla Rowland speaking to us. She delivered just the right words that were needed that night. I'm thankful that God gave her the words that were needed that night - we had one come back to the altar and rededicate her life. What a joyous time we had, but how much more were they rejoicing in Heaven?!


This one may be a little hard to see. We had to use the "night vision" setting on the video camera. Let me explain this picture a little. I hope you can make out the cross. It's a wooden cross. Those white things are cards with prayer requests on them. That Friday night, we nailed our prayer requests to the cross while the song "Nail it to the cross" by The Whisnants played.

This picture might be hard to see, too. After the prayer requests were nailed to the cross, Bop (in the white robe) came out with a huge red piece of fabric. The fabric represents the blood of Christ covering our prayer requests. It was a very powerful moment when the fabric was draped over the cross. It makes me think of how God would approvingly look at the finished work of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

This is Mom giving a welcome Saturday morning. The cross behind her is a little easier to see in the light.



This is me, Mom & Bop. We travel locally and sing in different churches, too. This is always a refreshing time for us - even though the 3 of us were up to our eyeballs in "stuff to do" during this weekend.

Some of those girls got a little rowdy after the praise service started. They were like that in all 3 seating sections. It was good.




Kyla reminded us about how wonderful Heaven would be. Sometimes, you just need a reminder that this is not the end.

I think Kyla was "filled to overflowing" on this song.


Hope you enjoyed getting a little glimpse of what a wonderful weekend we had. If you're interested in a video, leave me a comment. The videos are $10 for the set. All of the proceeds will go toward the State Ladies Auxillary hosting the International Women Active for Christ conference when the National Association of Free Will Baptists comes to West Virginia this next summer.

See y'all later.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

I did it - again.

I must admit - I never thought that my spare time would be learning how my big car works. It never seemed like something I might even be remotely interested in.

Having said that, being raised by a single mom, you just learn the most cost effective way to do just about anything. So, if I tried, I could probably change my oil, but I'll just let the guys at Wal-Mart think they're doing me some huge favor. =)

Sister is most disgusted by the fact that I'm not afraid to try anything - and usually, I end up with something that works like it's supposed to or looks like what it's supposed to.

Anyway, I called the parts store that I originally bought the spark plugs and wires from. I spoke with someone different than I had the night before. He informed me that the lunkhead that sold me the first set of plugs failed to tell me that those plugs were for a 4-cylinder foreign made car. I have a 6-cylinder American made car. Do you see a problem?

I called said parts store, spoke with "Jim", and asked how much the correct plugs were. There was a $4 difference in the price of the plugs. Ok. These just came out of the box. Will you exchange them? No. So now, I'm out the price of the cheaper plugs and the price of the correct plugs.

So, I contacted a different auto supply store. They laughed (and then apologized) at the mistake the guy from the first store made. They set me up with new plugs and wires. Their plugs (same manufacturer, same plug) were almost $2 more than the first store, but they did a price match. YAY, SECOND STORE!!! And my new best friend's name is "John".

After amputating my arm and leg to pay for the correct plugs and wires, I went home to change them out - AGAIN!!!

Do you believe this?!?!?!?!?!?!

Anyway, after I managed to finish slicing off every finger letting my engine chew my arm off again changing out the stupid plugs for the correct ones, I held my breath and started the car. I knew something wasn't right with the first set of plugs. The car was "putting". You could hear that something wasn't quite right. After changing them to the correct ones, it only sounded like an exhaust should "putt".

(Insert fiesta music and me shaking my booty right here. Well, maybe not shaking my booty. That might be a danger to me or some innocent bystander.)

So, after much laying on my engine (it gives new meaning to the "laying on of hands" that scripture speaks of), my car runs muuuuuuuuuuuuuuch better. That's one step closer to having it back on the road.

I'll be back with the summary of the lesson I taught last night during Youth Meeting. Even the kids were commenting on how timely the lesson was.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

I did it.

I finally finished changing the spark plugs and wires in my big car.

I know you're asking, "Why didn't C do that?"

My simple answer, C has not one "handy-man" bone in his body. He does ok at the plant - with the machines he works with. But not at home.

My neighbors were getting a kick out of watching me crawl into the engine of my car. At one point, I was laying on the car with my feet off the ground. I'm sure it was very funny and scary to watch.

Funny, in the fact that it looked like the engine of my car was eating me, and scary, in the fact that my hinder parts were sticking out in rare form.

I'm sure you're wondering why all the rush to get this car fixed.

Well, C informed me that they're switching him to second shift but that he did turn in a request to remain on third. He still must go to second, but his supervisor and the 3rd shift mgr are trying hard to get him back on 3rd.

So, he will probably take the little car and I'll take the big car. It's been really nice, these last few months. We've been sharing the little car because the big car was having issues. Now, I'm trying to fix the issues because we won't be able to share a car anymore.

Pray for me. I'll be calling my real mechanic to see if he can work the big car in this afternoon or tomorrow. All I know - it needs to be on the road by Monday. That's when the big "schedule shift" starts.

Pray for C. Another guy from our church started right after C. They've done the same thing to him. He said the adjustment from 3rd to 2nd isn't fun. He's been on 2nd for almost a month. He told C that it was veeeeeeeeeeeery sllllllllllllllllllllllowly getting easier.

I'll let you know how the car thing works out...

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Where was I?......

Oh, yes. I was telling you about the long weekend, but I've had a few long weeks at The Office where I've not been able to finish my story.

I know you're terribly distraught.

Anyway, I did manage to change clothes in the 2 minutes I had left after walking from the van into the room where my clothes were. I did manage to change and be out for starting time. A little (read: lot) sweaty perhaps, but there and ready to lead congregational singing while being out of breath. It's a vision of loveliness, isn't it? (Do you think I can't hear you laughing?)

The thought for the weekend was "Farther On - I Can Only Imagine", and it became more than I could imagine that weekend. We started the evening off singing "The Unclouded Day". You've never heard it sung til you hear 200+ women singing it in 3-part harmony. Wow! What a sound.

We had some special music by one of our new good friends, Patty Ross. She wrote her own songs - and played them on a 12-string guitar, no less. They were beautiful.

The girls from my youth group did a fantastic job, too. I'm so proud of them.

Kyla was the speaker for this meeting and she was truly led by the Spirit. She just laid out what God wanted her to say, and we had one person go to the altar. Her mom goes to our church. She'd gone to church when she was younger and stopped coming. I was surprised to see her there, but I'm glad she was. She rededicated her life and committed to raise her daughter in church. What a big step for her.

After the altar call was over, we broke for light refreshments. By this time, it's about 9:15. That's almost 3 hours of church. It didn't seem like it at all.

When we came back from the break, there was a slideshow of cross and sky pics. This was one of Bop's projects. She'd gone to different churches in the area, as well as any road trip that was taken, and took pics of crosses on the outsides of buildings, crosses that were standing in the "church yards", windows that had crosses in them, she even went to the cemetary and took pics of tombstones. (You get some of the best cross and church pics from the cemetary.) Well, while these were rolling thru like a slideshow, we'd picked some scripture about the cross and had different women read these passages. Then, the slideshow was turned off, and a recording was played. It was a man reading scripture in monologue style, telling the story of how man fell, God sacrificed Christ to be the redemption for man's sin, and how we can take all our cares and lay them at the feet of Jesus for Him to take care of. During this recording, there comes a black-robed individual dragging a cross up the aisle. When the voices on the recording came to where Christ was crucified, the black-robed person laid the cross on the floor and drove spikes into it. Then, some music started to play - the first song was titled, "Nail it to the cross". One by one, the ladies came and nailed their prayer requests to this cross. After the ladies were finished, the black-robed person went into the room behind the platform. Then, a white-robed person came out with a huge, red piece of fabric and draped it over the cross.

Women were shouting and praising the Lord. It was one of the most powerful experiences I've ever been a part of. After we were done praying for the requests we nailed to the cross, we dismissed for the night.

Stay tuned to find out how Saturday went...

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

I'M BACK!!!

Where to begin? Hmmmmm. (This might get a little long - sorry!)

#1 - Long weekend.

I spent the long weekend working on the Ladies Meeting that was coming up. Lots of time spent at the sewing machine. I finished my costume and a couple other projects for the upcoming meeting. Then, we (Mom, her BFF - Bop, C, and me) spent all day Monday at church decorating. Bop & C took care of the fellowship hall (seperate building). Mom & I worked on the main building.

Lots of wreaths, flowers, potpourri, and such flying around in the sanctuary. It turned out beautiful, if I do say so myself. There was also much ladder lugging. Do you know how heavy a petrified wooden step-ladder is? Waaaaaaaaay to heavy.

Mom fixed a huge flower arrangement for the top of the piano (baby grand in the sanctuary) and one for the communion table, but they needed something between these arrangements and the wood. Our sanctuary has dark wood in it. The piano is kinda dark, but the communion table is cherry wood with mahogany stain. So, Mom bought 2 tablecloths in a country blue (the sanctuary has blue carpet and pews) , one was draped across the top of the piano and set the arrangement on top; the other, I cut about 15" off the end. It became a table runner for the communion table. The rest of it was used as a regular table cloth for the registration table.

We absolutely wore ourselves out on Monday. Now, I know you're wondering, did you cook out or anything, seeing as how it was Labor Day and all? No. We had a delicious meal, which was picked up at Subway on the way back from one of the numerous trips to Wal-Mart. Rest assured, we did not starve.

#2 - Practice with the girls from the youth group.

I can't remember if I told you that I was going to have the girls from the youth group help me with the theme song for the Ladies Meeting, but that was the plan.

I was going to use all 5 of them to help me. Then, one of them (SG), her mom had to have emergency surgery. She was out. Down to 4. Then, I got a call from a different one (S). Her parents decided to have her (and her younger brother) pick one sport to play per school year. (It makes sense to me. You can't be in 684 places at one time, so they get to pick one.) Well, she picked volleyball. It just so happens that this is volleyball season. I told her to go have fun. She's out. Down to 3. Yet again, my phone rang. It was B's mom. She explained to me that, even though B told me she would do it, she gets stage fright - so she won't be there, either. She's out. Down to 2. I told E and M that it was up to them. They told me they were up to the challenge.

#3 - Friday.

I left work about noon-ish. Then I stopped to pick up some ham salad, pick up C, drop off a deposit at the bank, pick up some lunch, and get to church as early as possible. We got there about 1:30. Which was good considering that there was a FOOTBALL! GAME! ON! SATURDAY! And there were only 9,670,000,000 people in our city - all for the game. You could say that traffic was bad. Actually, that would be an understatement.

Kyla came down to set up her stuff. We did a sound check while she was there - boy, did we sound good!! When we got done, she left to get a little rest, a bite to eat and the diva look going. Then about 5:30, Mom came back. No sooner did she set her purse down, her cell rang. One group of ladies (from a town about 2 hours-ish away) called and said that their bus was broke down at their hotel in the other end of town. They needed a ride. So, I asked Mom for her keys and took her minivan. (I would've drove my car, but I only have a small car.) By the time I pulled onto the parking lot with those women, I had 3 minutes to start time. Talk about pushing it.

To be continued....

Friday, August 31, 2007

Well, I'm outta here!!

I'm out of The Office until Tuesday and one week til the Women's Meeting.

Lots of stuff to do this weekend.

EVERYBODY HAVE A FANTABULOUS LONG WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?????

I'm not sure.

JUST KIDDING!!!

I've been right here at The Office. I've just had some real work that needed done.

I know all of you are wondering about "The Trip". We went, we saw, we even bought the T-shirt. That's it in a nutshell.

Ok, I'll elaborate.

We left the church later than planned. (Big surprise - NOT!) Anyway, we went one hour down the road and stopped for dinner. (What do you expect out of a van full of Baptists?) Then, we hit the road. We arrived at the hotel at about 11:30 on that Friday night. There were a few that were ready for bed. We did have 2 girls that stayed up til 3 or 4 am and the alarm went off about 6:30. Those 2 girls stayed awake the whole day! How do they do that?!

When the description for the hotel says "Deluxe Breakfast" we assumed it would be like the regular breakfasts that the hotels give you when you purchase a nights stay at their hotel. No such luck, but there was a McStablishment right across the street. We're in luck!

We took our time getting everywhere. Kinda. We got to the zoo and took the big loop around. It was a little bigger than what I remembered. (Well, in all fairness, when I was there before, half of the zoo was closed for remodeling. Most everything was open for this trip.) We spent about 2-1/2 hours there. We could've stayed a little longer, but we were trying to make the aquarium by 2. Some of my girls were taking pics with everything they saw. E & K were hilarious. Cracked me up somthing fierce!

The aquarium was too cool!!! At the end of the first section, there was a "Red Sea" exhibit. There was this little girl standing in front of this tank. As I passed, she said "LOOK! THERE'S DOREY! but where's Nemo?". It was the cutest thing. Well, upon further investigation of other tanks, we found Nemo. He was cute!

One of the really cool things about the aquarium was the "tunnel" style hallways. The walls and celing were a really heavy plexiglass. It was really cool to "walk through water". In the middle of the second section, they had an alligator pit. YOU WALKED ACROSS THE ALLIGATOR PIT ON PLEXI FLOORING!!!!! It was kinda creepy. They had the same type of plexi in the floor when you walked through the "big tank" tunnel. Really neat! That's where we found Mr. Ray! They have sting rays in the big tank with some different breeds of sharks and a couple of shark rays. They were really cool!! (At one point in the big tank tunnel, I heard myself singing: "Let's name the zones, the zones, the zones...". It was very scary!!!)

At the end of the aquarium tour, they had a shark petting area. They also had this scale you could sit on and it would tell you what shark you would be based on your weight. Yeah, we didn't sit on it! I really don't care what kind of shark I would be. And in actuallity, I very well might have turned into one if I'd have sat on that thing. It wouldn't have been pretty.

Anyway, I'll be posting pics when I get copies of them from E & K.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

SLACKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I know I'm a total slacker!!!! I've been busier than a one-legged man in a back-side kicking contest, one-arm paper hanger, and...well, you get the idea.

Anyway, I've also been working on some other projects. Stuff to do with the kids during youth meeting, stuff for the women's meeting that I usually just help with but am now doing a whole host of things, and generally losing my mind. =) I hope you understand.

Kids Stuff:
We're taking the official "Summer Trip" this Saturday. We're going to go jump off a cliff the Cincinnati Zoo and the Newport Aquarium. I think they will have loads of fun! This trip does include an overnight stay. "THANK YOU, YO BOB!" for thinking of the people who would be doing all the driving. Although, I've done it before. Drive 3 hours, walk around in the heat all day while the kids get baked on crazy rides that would make you throw up dinner from 2 decades ago, pile back into the van, stop at "The Golden Hog Trough" on the way home, deposit children at the correct address, meander your way to your house, careen the van into our parking spot, pile into our house, take out contacts that are permantly sealed to your eyeballs, fall in the bed, and die......until morning. Then, you've got to get up and get ready for morning worship service and are expected to be in the "oh, so holy" vein. (Man, what run-on sentences you have! Says the big, bad wolf.)

WHATEVER!!! This trip works out really well. Every place we were going to go (we trimmed it from 4 different locations to visit down to 2 different locations - I was proud of them) opened at 9am-ish and everything was closed by 6. Ummmm, ok. So, out of the last 6 or 7 years we've been taking them on trips, this will be the first that we'll be getting to bed about the same time as normal! I'm liking it!!!!

Women's meeting:
My mom is the president for the WV State Women Active for Christ. Which means I get to help with the ladies retreat that will happen in about 3 weeks. The theme for this fall's meeting is "Farther On - I Can Only Imagine" and will be all about Heaven. Mom asked me to sing "I Can Only Imagine" for the meeting. I decided to spice things up a little by having the girls from my youth group doing the sign language to the song while I'm singing it. That should be good.

Mom and I went shopping last night. We bought some fabric to make a drape for the top of the baby grand in the sanctuary and a table runner for the communion table. Those will look nice!

Then, while in deep discussion with Mom about all things retreat-ish, she told me that she hadn't talked to anybody about doing a skit for the Saturday morning session. I offered a suggestion that maybe she give somebody an idea like doing commerical spots. Like for Philadelphia Cream Cheese "It's so heavenly, it's almost sinful!" kinda thing. So, since I came up with the idea, I'm going to work it out with Em. Oh, what fun. (It's kinda like slave labor, but not.) KIDDING!!!

I'm also in charge of the spoken word service (I stole the idea from Boomama's church. We did one last year and it tore the place up real good.). This will be interesting. I'm going to have about 3 weeks to get it all, and everyone who is going to participate, together. Lots of fun stuff!

Well, I think I'm tired of rambling, and I'm sure that you're much too busy to stay here much longer (that's why you're "doing reasearch online" right now, isn't it? Ok, if you say so.). So, I'm going to end this fun-fest. I'll be back at "the next appointed" bloggity time (we Baptists always refer to service times as "the next appointed time". You'll catch on quick.).

Oh, the amount of links and parenthasis' (I'm not sure I even spelled that right. I used spell check and it gave me 3 different possibilities. I don't know - that's why I'm asking you, stupid computer.) in this paragraph.

SOMEBODY GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!!!

The store is now closing please take all purchases to the check out registers.

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOMEBODY STOP ME, PLEASE!!!!!!!

Thursday, August 2, 2007

They've found me!!!!!

Yes, they have! The kids from my youth group have found me - well, at least one of them. The comments from the last post are from one of my kids.



She's too funny!



We (me & C) have a joke with the girls in the group. "If you line them up, what do you get? A wind tunnel!!!" I hope they all know we're kidding. Sometimes they search for the answers to your question on the celing, but they're my girls.

I'm kinda like a momma bear with the kids in my youth group. I just love them like that. I hope they all know that. ;)

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Extreme fun with kids

Sometimes I just love being a youth director. Sometimes I think I'm just insane.

We've decided that we're not going to do the whole "theme park" thing this year. Well, that's what I thought anyway.

Last year, I had 2 kids go to "The Land of the Giant Mouse". One of them went twice! Once with a school honors program and once with her family. Talk about overkill. Then, I had kids that went to church camp, were invited to go to other "theme parks" with some of their friends. They told me they'd had enough of the "theme park" thing for a loooooooooong while.

Ok. I can handle that. Usually, C will drive there, go crazy with the kids, and totally wear himself out, and I'll drive home. It's a system that's worked for us. I don't usually get motion sick, but somebody's got to be fit to drive the entire way home - dropping off kids on the way. So, I elected myself.

Now, that sounds like I don't have any fun, but sometimes it's necessary to have a "keeper of The Stuff". The Stuff consists of sunglasses (for roller coasters), any animals of the stuffed persuasion that have been won thru any type of game play, cameras, cell phones, blah, blah, blah. So, that person has been me. (On a side note, I'm not sure that I would want to subject myself to the public humiliation that it would cause to be too big for the rides. One of the guys & C told me that they were almost too big to fit into the harness. That is definitely not my idea of fun.)

So, since they said they'd had enough of the park thing, what was I going to do for a summer trip? They told me that they'd like to maybe go to the Newport Aquarium and the Cincinnati Zoo - and maybe some other places in that area. That was fine by me.

Here's where it gets extreme. The original idea was to make a long weekend out of it, but I've also been looking at the Youth Fund and the Quarterly budget we work under. The long weekend wasn't possible. We were going to have to regroup.

After meeting with the kids again, they decided to make it a day trip. We've gone back to the original idea. The Newport Aquarium and the Cincinnati Zoo. We're only about 3 hours-ish away. Plans are to leave the church at (**here it is**) 5-ish AM.

AM, people! You mean it does come twice a day?!?!?!?!

Anyway, that will give about 3-1/2 hours to get there (potty breaks for those girlies who "just can't wait"). The zoo will be hit first (it's cooler in the morning and closes first). Then, we'll leave the zoo and grab somthing to eat on the way to the aquarium - and we can take our time. No rushing on this trip. Next, the aquarium. Nice and air conditioned. When they're good and sea sick, it'll be time to leave and catch some dinner on the way home.

Having everything close by 6 or 7 makes it nice. You can still make the 3 hour trip home, drop everybody off, and get to bed about the same time as normal (11-ish PM).

It makes for a long day, but it'll be worth it. I'll try to get some pics.

Just a funny

I think you all can appreciate this one...


I went into the gas station today and asked for five dollars worth of gas.....


The clerk farted and gave me a receipt.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

More fun with kids.....

Ok. I really don't think being with the kids is like "committing suicide - very slowly". We've taken this opportunity to work with them, since apparently, God's letting us take hiatus from having our own family.

So having said that, I'd like to tell you about our bowling trip. We took the kids bowling after the friday night of VBS. It was too funny.

The guys decided that they didn't want any girls on their lane. So, all 7 girls (including adults) were on one lane. The other 5 guys (more adults included) were on the other lane. Do you see something wrong with this picture? Our game took a sweet forever to finish. Mainly because the girls kept goofing off. What else are teenagers supposed to do when you take them somwhere?

Anyway, E made up this little dance to see if it would improve her scores. Basically, you get a ball, walk up to the line, face away from the lane, turn around a couple of times, bob up and down a couple of times, hop around on one foot, and "granny-roll" the ball through your legs toward the pins, it's supposed to work. All I know is when I pulled myself up off the floor from laughing at her little dance, she had all the guys trying it! One of the guys even got a strike when he did her dance - I think we all just about fell on the floor. Waaaaaaaaaaaay too funny.

Then, the next Saturday, we had a car wash with the kids. J & M brought their 2 kids. The baby stayed inside with M's mom. Their older daughter, C aka "Girlfriend" (3 yr old), was out helping with the car wash. She was too cute! She'd grab a sponge and tell the 'big kids', "No! You're doing it wrong! You do it like this!" and proceed to scrub one small spot on the side of the car. Then, she came over and smacked me on the butt. I turned around to see this sweet little girl with the craziest scowl on her face - then she looks at me and says, "You sprayed me with the water. You got me wet! How am I supposed to work like this?!". I laughed and apologized to her.

That Sunday before church, I asked her if she ever got dry. She told me that it "took an extremely long time and it was a lot of work".

Too funny!!!!!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

VBS Fun

I know, I'm slacking, but I've been trying to commit suicide the slow way having some laughs with the kids at church.

We had VBS last week, and that was kinda crazy in itself. We had class on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and the program was on Friday night. It was kinda stressful trying to fit everything into 3 days. Is "interesting" the appropriate word to use here? I'm not sure.

Anyway, VBS had a patriotic flavor. The sanctuary was decked out in all manner of red, white, and blue. It was too cool! The actual theme was "Armor of God". We had all kinds of "armor" pieces hanging on the walls. The theme song was "God's got an Army" by Carman.

The kids learned about all the different pieces of the armor, and what each piece represents. And I got to teach music again - surprised? No. I've taught music for the last 9 years. I will say it stretches my creativity each time I do it.

Since we didn't have a lot of time, I taught them the chorus and first verse of "God's got an Army". The 2-4 year olds sang "I'm in the Lord's Army" (which has only been around since the beginning of time - didn't Noah teach that to Shem, Ham, and Japeth? just kidding). Anyway, the 2-4 year olds and 5-11 year olds sang "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho" together. The teen class (my regular bunch) sang "In God We Trust". And as a tribute to all fallen soldiers (as well as our fallen Christian soldiers) we all sang "Taps". It was really pretty.

After the close of Friday's service, everybody went over to the fellowship hall for pizza.

What was really cute didn't even happen during the week. On Sunday morning (taking my seat in the choir) one of the "grandma's" got my attention. She told me that on the way to church that morning, the granddaughter asked if she was going to sing with AuntieB during church and was totally disappointed when grandma said no.

Everybody together----"Awwwwwwww".

Well, I thougth it deserved one!

Thursday, July 5, 2007

How addicted are you?!

64%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Mingle2 - Online Dating

Thursday, June 28, 2007

I just don't believe it!!!!

Well, I must say that I was truly blessed last weekend.

I have a freind who's listed on my sidebar who just happens to be a songwriter. Not just ANY songwriter, but THE songwriter. You know the one who just won the "Song of the Year" award (you must keep up on the Southern Gospel circut). Yes, that's right. It's "my best good friend" Kyla Rowland. Might I just say - somebody was going to have to tie me up with a straight-jacket peel me off the celing calm me down a bit if I couldn't do it on my own. You see, she asked me to sing with her! That's right. I got to sing with her and her wonderful hubby, Bob.

Let me just say right now - if ever I had a dream to do anything, it would be to sing for a living. That's all I've ever wanted to do. I kinda conditioned myself for that. I was in the Show Choir at the "Old High School" (because they've consolidated it). I was in the big Concert Choir, All-State, All-State Chamber (only a select few got that honor), and a few different choral groups outside of school.

So, this becomes understandable that I'm kinda bored doing anything but music or "The Arts", but I'm making due. I mean, the bills don't stop just because you don't have a paying 'gig' all the time. That's why I'm at The Office and C is at The Plant. It's all because of those pesky little bills. Why can't they just STOP ALREADY!!!!! I mean, for goodness sake! Can't you people leave me alone for more than 2 stinkin seconds?!

Anyway, I was excited. We sounded really good. Which is a feat in and of itself - we didn't get to practice! You heard me correctly. No practice time and we sounded great. All I can say is:

YAY, GOD!!! There's no other reason that it could've been pulled off.

So, there you go. My adventure for the week. Now it's on to planning the rest of the year's worth of activities for our church's youth group. Did I mention that you end up kinda looney when you've done youth ministry by yourself (well, me & C) for 6 years?!


Friday, June 22, 2007

Just a funny

Found this over at Show Me State of Mind.


Your Pirate Name Is...

Pegleg Janie Jalibird

BTW, the post that this was attached to - totally hilarious! I can totally relate!

Friday, June 15, 2007

SNORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And no, I don't snort, but I almost did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I just saw the funniest video EVER over at laughing mommy's blog.

Here you go:

It's just too funny!!!!!

WOW!!!!, Part 2

Well, let me just say that I just keep getting floored by these meetings. I'm soooo impressed by how God works through the people who minister in these meetings.

This year The Whisnants were the special music for Thursday nights meeting. They were excellent. Dr. Joe Arthur delivered the Word. He never fails to bring it in a way that makes it seem like it's just for you. And it was all about "Anchors". It was really cool to listen to him describe how the Holy Spirit is the "anchor" end in the soul, Christ is the "anchor" end in heaven, and when there are times you can't pray, the Holy Spirit prays on this end (knowing what a Holy God demands) and how Christ prays on the heavenly end (because He empathises with the earthly man), it all balances out, and God can hear and answer the request. It was really cool.

In the men's meeting (yes, I sat thru this meeting with my video camera), the topic was "courage". The men delivering the Word for this meeting were Tom Gillum and Dean McNease. Yes, they had 2 preachers deliver during their session. It was challenging even for me. Bro. Tom Gillum preached on getting out of your comfort zone and doing something for God. He used a missions theme. He talked about a missionary that was told "If you go over there to those islands, you'll be eaten by the cannibals.". They were referring to the islands between Hawaii and Australia. The missionary's response was "I'd rather be eaten by cannibals and following God's will than to sit here, do nothing, and be eaten by the worms.". WOW!!! Then Dean McNease preached on the "follow through" of courage and the actions that would follow.

The women's meeting focused on "Reminders" and "Prayer". The "Reminders" thought was delivered by Kyla Rowland. She talked about the things that we consider to be brokenness and how God uses those things to be reminders to others about what God can do. The "Prayer" thoughts were delivered by Linda Hicks. It was a refresher course on praying and what's to be the motivation behind the prayer life of a believer.

The Friday night was "Jesus wept". My, my, my. How God can use a man to deliver such a message is beyond my comprehension. The bearer of the Word for this meeting was Dr. Craig Edwards. How God could send His only Son to bear what I couldn't JUST SO that when I face those things, I have someone that will not only sympathize with me but can empathize with me. Feel what I feel - because Christ has felt all those things, too.

Like I said before, the only thing that can describe that meeting is "off the hook". It's a lot to cram in, but it's totally worth it. TOTALLY!!

BTW, if you're interested in a copy of the video, send me an email - I'll send you back all the info you need for ordering. =)

Monday, June 11, 2007

WOW!!!!, Part 1

I know it's been a while. I've been swamped at The Office - I took 2 days off for a vacation. It's taken almost a week and a half to get caught up.

I knew it was going to be hectic, but that was crazy!!!

We take these 2 days off every year. There's a Bible Convention that we attend every year in Pigeon Forge, TN. If I had to come up with a word or phrase to decribe this convention, it would be "off the hook". Every year gets better than the last. I'm not even sure how that happens, but it does.

This year was especially hard, though. We were on our way out of town (two hours late getting out of town), when we find out that C's paycheck didn't get direct deposited like it was supposed to. CRAP!!!!! Can you see where this will end up? Going out of town with enough gas to get you there and enough cash to get 2 double McCheeseburger meals at the "Happy Clown" establishment.

Anyway, we get to enjoy the conference, but we are also "working" while we're there. We video the conference for the people who put it on. Which means that we sit through every session (and that's really ok - every session is good). If you would like to read more about what those people thought, go here. Good, good stuff.

The meetings consist of 4 seperate meetings. Thursday evening everybody has church together. The special music was provided by The Whisnants this year and the minister of the hour was Dr. Joe Arthur. His message was about "The Anchor". This session lasted about 3 hours.

I know what you're thinking. Church for 3 hours?!?!?!?!?! ARE YOU CRAZY, WOMAN?!?!?!?!?! Maybe. I'll let you know when I find out.........

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Happy Birthday to ME!!

Well, I managed to make it through another year. Yesterday was "the big day".

In my family, it's tradition that when you get sung to on your birthday, it's done very badly. The older you get- the worse it gets.

Yesterday I decided that since it was my birthday, I'd sleep through one snooze from the alarm clock. And I did.

When I got to work, the girls that clean The Office were there - and they brought me flowers! And the girl I share an office with bought my lunch!

All together now, "Awwwwwwwwww".

Anyway, when I got off work I went to the tanning bed - at the one I go to, you tan for free on your birthday! YIPPEE!!!!!!

When I walked in the door at home, C looked at me and said, "What do you want me to fix for dinner?". WHAT?!?! HE'S GOING TO COOK?!?!?! And what a gourmet cook he is (HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!) - he fixed Hamburger Helper Four Cheese Lasagna and Texas Toast garlic bread, but at least he cooked and I didn't have to.

While we're eating he tells me he's going in early to get some overtime on the paycheck. WOW! Dinner and overtime - what caused these stars to align right? Well, as it turns out, we do have a weekend away planned for the end of the month. He's actually working all the overtime he can between now and then to give a little better "cushion" for the trip. I CAN'T WAIT!!

So, all in all, I had a wonderful birthday. God's given me another year. With a good man. Given me a great job. And another day to praise Him for it. Thank you, Lord.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

I'm still here.

Never fear. I've just been reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally busy at The Office.

Anyway, Sister called me yesterday. She said, "I wanted to call and tell you what happened before you heard it from somewhere else and it was blown waaaaaay out of proportion."

Well, that's one way to be nice and vague.

She wanted to let me know that S was out playing at her other grandmother's house, got her toe caught on a crack in the concrete, and went sailing over the Little Tykes shopping cart that she had been pushing - and subsequently, ended up smashing face-first into the sidewalk.

Why on earth do you call somebody at work and tell them something like that - knowing that all they'll want to do is get there to make sure everything is ok?!?!?! I mean, for Pete's sake - don't do that!!!!!!!!!!!!

But what you fail to realize is that Sister has nothing else to do - except call everybody who works and terrorize them with info that's either pointless or upsetting. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!

Needless to say, I had to go see S last night. I walked in, looked at her, she looked back at me and said, "AuntieB I huwt my face - see - and swatched my awm - see - and I cwied and cwied but I'm ok now.". Um, ok.

Since it's not everyday that you crash your face into the concrete - since, you know, IT HURTS AND ALL! - I had to get her something at Wal-Mart. I had to get contact solution anyway, so I got some Princess and Dora gummys and a book that has 12 Disney Princess stories in it. And, OH, the EXCITEMENT! WHEN! SHE! SAW! THE! GUMMYS! AND! THE! BOOK! (yes, I stole that from Boomama - I confess, I'm a thief - moving on). Since it was a new book, we just had to crack the cover to see what was in it. And the joy that filled the house was great! because not only was there a Princess story book, but there were also Princess and Dora gummys!

So, after some snuggling (yes, I can still manage to do that with her being a 4 yr old), I decided that it was time for AuntieB to go home and TAKE THOSE STUPID CONTACTS OUT OF MY EYES BECAUSE THEY'RE ALMOST STUCK ON THERE PERMANENTLY! And I did need to charge the cell phone. I ended up at the house, on the couch, cell phone charging, and "Happy Feet"(I'm a fan of the music - really, really good stuff) in the DVD player at 11pm last night. When the movie went off (I slept thru most of it), I finally blew out all the lights and curled up with my kitties and went to sleep.

Good times.

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Why I'm AuntieB, Part3

I know you feel like this is dragging out forever, but this has been a looooooong and paaaaaainful process.

Anyway, I sat with Sister and we talked for a loooong time about the baby. She knew she was having a girl - and that her name would be Savannah.

I will never forget the morning that Mom called. It was 7:50 am and I was an hour away from home (taking C to work - we had one car and burned up lots of gas with me working another 20 minutes from home in the other direction). I made it to the hospital with the hour.

By the time I got there, Sister was getting her epidural. I asked Mom how long they'd been there - since 3:something am?! This would be a long day.

Sister didn't do bad. Her water broke at the 3:something in the morning and by 8:30 she was getting her epidural - and by noon, we had a baby girl!!!!!

I got to feed her first. That was something I'll never forget. Despite what I thought - you'd never believe how strong the bond is that formed that beautiful November day.

That was 4 years ago. Now, I have a 4 year old girlfriend - AND SHE LOVES TO GO TO WALMART!!!! Good taste runs in the family! What can I say.

Friday, April 27, 2007

And another thing.........

I've not posted anything in the last couple of days - it's just been crazy at The Office. Everything came due at one time.

I'll post in a little bit. Still trying to catch up on some stuff...

Update on Jim

If you stopped by and saw my prayer request for Jim and prayed, called someone else to pray, or even thought about him, thank you.

I just got an email that said he came through surgery beautifully, and will make a complete recovery. They let him wake up enough to pray with his pastor.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!! HE IS GOOD!!!!!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Prayer Request

If anybody sees this post before Thursday morning, I have a favor to ask of you.

I have a friend. His name is Jim. He's having open heart surgery on Thursday morning at 8am EST. The doctors need to remove a portion of his aeorta (sp?) and replace it with a piece of plastic. It's not something that's done in our area, so he and his wife will be going to Cleveland Clinic.

If you will please pray for him it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Oh, what fun!!!!

I attended a ladies meeting this past weekend with my mom and her best friend. It was fantastic and ohmyword, the stuff I could blog about.

Well, first of all, the women from the Hayden Baptist Church (right outside of Columbus, OH) did a wonderful job of hosting this meeting. The decorations were adorable. They made up arrangements of pink flowers and Hershey chocolates. What could be better?

The theme was "Taste and see that the Lord is good..." - and they couldn't have picked a better place to host this meeting than the Der Dutchman. Good old fashioned Amish cooking and baking. Yes, the Lord is good!!!!!!! They have the biggest doughnuts. They have these creme filled "long-johns" that are either topped with chocolate fudge or maple fudge. (Yes, I felt every word I just wrote go straight to my hips!) Then they had these cinnamon rolls that were as big around as your face! PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!!!!!!

Well, all I have to say is that the music and the Word from the speaker were just fantastic! The girls from Beech Grove Baptist church in Knoxville, TN were the singers for the meeting and Kyla Rowland was the speaker.

Let me say right now that these women are a gift from God. They are anointed. They might tell you otherwise, but I'm tellin' you they are!

All I can say is that I'm glad these women are my friends, and yet, they are more than my friends - they are my sisters. And let me tell you - when this bunch of sisters get together with a whole lot of pasteries, you can never tell what will happen!!!!

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Why I'm AuntieB, Part 2

I totally understand that most people think the way my pastor's wife and all those deacon's wives think.

Why wouldn't it work that when you're in service to God? And why wouldn't he bless your marriage with a house full of kids? Doesn't scripture say, "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them." (Psalm 127:3-5a)?

Then why, oh why, is this happening to me?!?!? I don't understand.

There's a phrase that I've heard used about prayer requests - it's "labor in prayer". Like a woman labors having a child, that's the way we sometimes "labor" in prayer over some things. This was one of those things. Days and nights were spent weeping and crying out to God about us not having children because this happening to us wasn't fair. I've spent my whole life in church and involved myself in music and kids ministries.

Was God not happy with my service? Was I doing it half-hearted? I just didn't know what was wrong. And then, I heard Him. That's right. I heard Him speak to me as clear as you would speak to me. He said, "Why are you worried about this? I have the plan all laid out for you. If you will continue in your ministries and be obedient, you will see what I have planned for you. It's stuff you can't even imagine."

Well, that was all I needed to hear. I was done "laboring" over this. It was on to bigger and better things...

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

A Funny

"Some people are like slinkies. Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs."

Some of y'all understand where I'm coming from with this one!!!

Why I'm AuntieB, Part 1

When I found out my sister was pregnant, I thought the world was going to stop.

See, I'd already been married for 5 years. And when you grow up in church under the watchful eyes of your pastor's wife and deacon's wives, you must understand the way the "older" generation thinks about the "natural order of progression".

Step one: get a good education. (Good idea.) Step two: find a "good christian man" to marry. (Yes, those are their exact words, and I agree with those.) Step three: get married. (That's the easy part.) Step four: have babies. (Sometimes it's not as easy as it sounds.) Step five: do some work in/for/at the church. (Despite how much you've got going on at the house.) Step six: grow old with your "good christian husband". (Ok. Whatever.) And step seven: die. (Graduation day! I like that!)

For the most part I can agree with this philosophy, but somewhere on some level, I disagree.

Background for this thought:

I heard a sermon from Chuck Swindoll about people, their ministries, and their families. He said that there are some people who remain single that will have the least "distractions" while serving God. I agree totally. Then, there are the people who are married and don't have kids - for whatever reason. The only "distraction" is the spouse and maybe the job. Otherwise, they can commit themselves more to God's work. I agree. Then, there are the people who are married and have kids. They have the most "distractions" but can commit some time to God's work - mainly because they have the spouse, job AND kids to attend to. This causes more time restraints than the other 2. I agree. Then, dear Mr. Swindoll said something that I'll never forget: "You people who have kids, get off those couples backs that don't have kids. Leave them alone! It's not God's will for everybody to get married and have kids!". And at that point in the sermon, the congregation laughed and took it in stride.

I could've reached through the radio and hugged that man. I'm married and don't have kids. Right now, we kinda think we can't have them. This totally upsets the whole philosophy from earlier - and there's nothing I can do about it.


Stay tuned for...........the rest of the story. Yup - just like Paul Harvey.

Monday, April 16, 2007

How the heart breaks...

While at work today, I heard about the horrific events unfolding at Virginia Tech.

My heart breaks for families that lost a member. My heart breaks for the people who have lost a friend. My heart breaks for the killer - that he thought this was the only way. My heart breaks that some people will blame God for letting this happen - while others will run to Him.

Almighty Father, help those families that are dealing with losing someone. I ask You to "go to where they are" in their grief, horror, shock, anger, or wherever. I ask You to "love on them not just a little, but a lot". I ask you to touch the hands that will be touching others - paramedics, firefighters, police, teachers, counselors, administrators. I ask you to be The Voice for those who will be dealing one-on-one with those who remain. I ask You to pour Your Spirit onto that campus - that people will run to You, cling to You, rest in You, give their hurts to You and allow You to apply the Balm of Gilead to their souls. I cry out to You on behalf of those who need You. Your mercy, grace, lovingkindness, peace, joy, comfort - anything that is needed You said in Your Word that You would supply it, and for that we offer thanks. Thank You for hearing Your children when they call upon Your Name. Amen.

Friday, April 6, 2007

The Best Friday EVAH!!!!!

In my whole life, this has to be the best Friday ever. EVAH!!!!! I told you something about this in my last post, but I have some details that will help it all make sense.

The company I have been working for through a temp agency is putting me on their payroll next week!!!! So, this will be the last time I have to fax a time card on a Friday afternoon! You don't quite understand until you know the whole story.......

About 2-1/2 years ago I was working retail. While it had it's perks, I couldn't wear the clothes from said store. They were just a little too small. I needed the Lane Bryant down the hall. I finished my shift on Memorial Day (they paid time & 1/2 for what was worked plus a regular day - understand why I worked it?) and the next morning started work for a friend of mine.

You know the saying, "Never work for your family.", well, sometimes that applies to your friends as well. Especially this friend. She lived 45 minutes away (I worked in her home) and I was working 60 - 80 hours a week by Christmas of that year. No time for C at all! No thank you! Besides that, her live-in was getting mean. Exit stage right.

I spent 2 months unemployed. It was horrible. Mom kept telling me, "Go to the gym and work off the stress.". I did that - until I almost couldn't walk. I would work out and pray the whole time. Pray that God would give me a good job. One that I wouldn't hate going to work. That I didn't want to temp anywhere because temps never get hired. I almost went broke sending out resumes. I finally went to the temp agencies.

The first said, "It'll take a week or more to get you in to see someone. We'll call with your appointment time." Great. That's not what I wanted to hear at all. So, I went across the street to #2. She told me, "Let's see what I've got. (She punched around on her computer for a few seconds and turns back to me.) I have 'X' position at '$X' dollars an hour. Are you interested? If so, I'm going to send your resume right away." The response? "Sure." That was on Monday.

On Tuesday, the lady from #2 agency called. "Right after you left, I sent your resume over to 'X' company. They want to meet with you. How's tomorrow at 1:30? If so, I'll call her back and tell her you'll be coming." WOW! What just happened here? Is this for real? Is God doing one of those "The Truman Show" things with me? Cause that wouldn't be funny.

Wednesday: After a 2 hour interview, "When can you start?" My answer, "I don't have anything planned for the next 2-ish hours. Would you like me to start today?" Her answer, "Yes!"

One month shy of being there for2 years, I left. Why? Because they didn't want to hire me - yet, they didn't want to train anybody else. Does that make any sense?! I don't think so. I finished the week and the next Monday, I started at this wonderful place. It's hectic at times, but what job isn't? The people here don't speak to you all mean and hateful. They are very laid back - compared with the first place, but it was that way because the office manager was strung tighter than a guitar string. I thought she would "pop" a couple of days.

I'm going to be very happy here.

Thank you Lord. It's been a hard 2 years, but You had all this in store for me. I can't wait to find out what else there is...I know I have to "search with all my heart" to find out what those things are. That's ok. I trust you. More than I trust anything else. And thank you for what this weekend represents. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for You. I love You!

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Randomness

Well, it's been a while. Just not had much time.

Ok, I've fallen off the saddle with the whole music thing, but I plan on starting that again. It's just been really, really busy at the house. Not much time for Mozart and Bach. They're just going to have to wait. I think they've got a while. You know they are both, well, dead. "Time is on my side, yes it is..." Thank you Slim Fast for that little nugget.

Work is going well. I've never said anything about work yet, but it's going well. It's taken a while for me to find the right "fit". I work for a temp service. I told God I didn't want to work for a temp service, but He had other plans. So, I've been temping for 2-ish years and now, I'M GETTING PUT ON PAYROLL!!!!! PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!!!! (Can't you hear the "Hallelujah Chorus" playing in the background? Thought so.) Now I work for The Office. On a side note, it's nothing like the show.

C lost his job right before Thanksgiving. That was really hard. =( It made the holidays harder than what they already were. We were "paycheck to paycheck" kind of people before C got the can, so I wasn't sure how we were going to deal with this. The whole company closed. So, it wasn't just C. It was everybody. Well, C found himself the nicest little job - through a different temp service. He used to work as a warehouse manager - now he's in production. He told me last night that he was told the night before that they had already started a permanent file on him because of all the machines that he's being trained to work on. C was told that he was on the "fast track" to being hired on. YEAH!!!! (I'm so impressed with God! He makes me smile! =))

My mom called the other night. She asked, "Do you have a minute?" (She never asks that - it must be something serious.) She handed the phone to S (my niece, she's 4). Then I hear, "HI! AUNTIEB! MY WANT TO TALK TO YOU! CAN I?!" (I think she hangs out with Boomama's little boy) MANY! EXCLAMATION! POINTS! ARE! USED! DURING! THAT! DISCUSSION!!!!! Might I say, I was rivited the whole time.

And on a funny note, one of my coworkers had to make a bank run for the company the other day. He said that when the teller was counting the money back to him, (starting with the big #'s and working down to the ones) she got hung when she switched from 50's to 20's. She finally had to call in someone else to count the money. Do you think she might want to look for another job? Just kinda throwing that out there.

I think that clears some stuff out for right now. See ya!

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Video Woes Part 2

I know...it's been a few days. I'm sure you're hanging on by your fingernails to see what happened with the video. Well.............it worked! I was able to load everything up to the splice and everything after the splice. It just wouldn't play through the spliced part.

So, I'm done loading video and just about done editing it. FANTABULICIOUS!!!!

Now, the only thing that's not edited at all is the video of the Hungarian quartet - and I just couldn't contain myself right after I saw them. They were just wonderful.

I think that's all I have on the video front for right now. I'm sure that y'all have just hung on every word. NOT!!!!!

I'll be back with more random stuff.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Video Woes Part 1

Ok. Just to let you know, before last night, I'd never seen the inside of a Mini DV cassette (the tape that goes in my camcorder). Now, I think I'm very familiar with all of it's video guts delicate inner workings.

I mentioned before that I edit some video from time to time. Well, last night was one of those times. I was putting the video of a ladies meeting we'd had back in September onto the computer to edit and burn onto DVD (Why I waited 6 months to do this, I'll never know.) - and I was missing Tape #2. That just means that every tape in the house had to be looked at.

I'd found a tape that had some issues. The problem was that the actual filmy tape inside had been snapped into (like it's some kind of green bean). I then decided that I would splice the two ends back together. Which means that I must go to Wal-Mart to gather all the necessary supplies required for video tape splicing (whatever those are). While there, I managed to find the smallest screwdriver set known to man (for a whopping $.88! WooHoo!), some packing tape (because you do want the connection to be secure), and an exacto knife. Is that what you really use? I don't know. I've never done this before. We're experimenting!

I go home to begin the procedure, and let me just say right now - I'VE NEVER SEEN SCREWS SOOOOOO SMALL!!!!! And since the screws are sooo small, you know one of them has to hit the floor, right?! Yup. Maybe it was because God granted me X-ray vision for a very short period of time that I was able to find said dropped screw and place it back in it's respective crevice. Much rejoicing took place at that time. Then, it was on to the "hard stuff".

The ends went together very nicely - and the outer shell went back together very nicely, too. I then put the cassette into the video camera and closed the door. It would only load the tray into the camera halfway. WHAZUP WIT DAT?! Well, after weeping, wailing, gnashing of teeth, and checking of the owner's manual, I decide to press the "reset" button on the camcorder. BIG MISTAKE! At this point I got really frustrated and went to practice - and then on to bed. Just couldn't handle it anymore.

So, at 6:30 am (yuck), I took the cassette apart - AGAIN! (Can't you hear me muttering under my breath about now? I thought so.) There was one little plasitc part I didn't see earlier. I put it back into it's place and put it all back together again. Attempting to play it in the camcorder again, I jam gently place the cassette back into the holder, close it, and voila! Now I can play the video.

Seeing as how I have NO STINKIN' CLUE about what's on this particular tape (remember I checked EVERY OTHER one in the house), I hit play. IT'S TAPE #2!!!!! Now I'm concerned that what took place will not be able to be played because the tape has been mangled.

More later...........I'm just too stinkin tired for the rest of the story right now. See ya!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Back in the saddle...

Well, last night was interesting.

After being bribed into meeting my aunt & uncle (lots of arm twisting going on here) at O'Charley's for dinner (you can see that it hurt me greatly - NOT!), I went to Mom's to raid the stash of sheet music (She's kept everything that everybody's ever done since the beginning of time. Including all of the All-State music for me, her and my dad - you see, it really was the beginning of time.) So you can see we have a plethora of musical temptations to choose from. Lots of classical and southern gospel (the latter isn't really my favorite type of music, but it was available.).

Then I went home and attempted to have C help me change out the tape decks in the stereo. Well after much huffing and puffing and a lot of me telling him to "hold this", we got it all moved around, but I had to make sure that it really worked. So, I stuck a tape in to see what I had to work with.

Might I say that - IT! WAS! REALLY! REALLY! LOUD!!! I'm sure that the neighbors were really digging that music that was rattling absolutely everything within a 100 yard radius. I then located the volume knob and gave it a good twist slight turn to the left. Much better! Now I could hear C talking to me instead of just seeing his mouth move. Although I'm going to have to remember that little fact the next time I just want him to STOP! TALKING! It just might work.

On the rehersal front, I did manage to make it through one entire book before I peeled scraped very carefully took my contacts out to soak before going to bed. It was a rather long evening.

And so, I'm back in the rehersal saddle and trying to get some other "techy" stuff done (like editing video). Once I get that done, it'll be time to start making some clothes for S (my 4-yr old niece) and myself (since I can't find everything I want when I go shopping).

See y'all later.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Lots of notes

Well, I've decided that after 10 years of slacking on the vocal practice, I'm going to get back in the saddle.

Most of the "hard stuff" is on cassette, right now, but I'm hoping that will change soon. So, since the cassette player in my BIG sound system won't work, I'm going to patch hubby's little one in.

He looked at me like I was from Mars when I told him that's what I was going to do. He said, "How are you going to manage that?" Oh, poor hubby - even after working for a company that dealt with sound equipment, he didn't get it. Well, he was the warehouse manager. He never installed anything. He just pulled all the pieces that the other guys would need.

So, when we moved the last time, he looked at the surround sound sitting with the TV and said "Good luck with that." - and I took care of it thankyouverymuch. Now when we watch TV we can REALLY! HEAR! IT!!!!

So, I'm going to sing my big "music-lovin" heart out this evening.

See y'all later.

Friday, March 9, 2007

Makes me want to take up classical music again!!!!

Last night, I went to see a Hungarian quartet sing at one of our "sister" churches.

THEY WERE TOO COOL!!!!!

They did most of their music in English, but they did a few pieces in Hungarian.

I was sooooooooo excited. I've been into music since I could talk. Then, when I was in high school, I was in every choir I could be in. Then there were all the honors choirs.

There was one year that I was in All-State choir - and at the same time, I was in All-State Chamber choir. In the chamber choir, (the more exclusive choir) I was singing at the top of my range, and in the other choir, I was singing at the bottom of my range. It was quite an experience - seeing as how I was sick.

Yes, it was real fun hacking and gagging and trying to sing all at the same time. Good times.

Try singing Hebrew with all the "gutteral" sounds you have to make in your throat while you've got a gallon of gooey stuff running down your throat at the same time. Real good times.

Now I remember what I've been missing. It's awesome when God gives you a gift - like music - and you "get out of practice" with it. That's something I've been lacking as of late. That's never what I intended to do after getting out on my own. It's just a little harder to fit in some major practice time when you work full-time, but that's really no excuse.

I think it's time to drag out all the old "long-hair" classical music I've been neglecting.

"Praise the LORD!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!"

Psalm 150

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Hello and Welcome.

Welcome to my blog. I'm happy to see you here.

I'm not a mommy yet, but we keep my sister's little girl some on the weekends - and that's enough for right now.

I hope we can have some serious conversations, some thought provoking conversations, and just some down-right-good belly laughs.

Thanks for stopping by - come back soon.