Entertain me please

Well, since my last couple of posts have been pre-determined, I will now tell ya about my weekend.

Friday night, the Tupperware party went WONDERFUL! I sold enough to qualify, so I still sell Tupperware... WAHOO!

But the best part of my weekend was Saturday. Ronnie and I had no plan that morning except we needed to change the tires on his car. We headed to the tire place which closed at 1:00, so we had to be there early enough to be on the list of "tire" changes. We tried to walk around at the car lot across the street, just for fun - we are NOT about to get a new car or anything, but it was SO stinkin' cold! We froze through the Toyota lot, and the Hyundai lot before seeing the Citgo - we went down there just to thaw out for a while... (so far this post is so boring... I will hurry it up.) We FINALLY realized that the tire place had a sitting room, with a TV, and it was heated. we are so stupid! So we sat the last 30 minutes or so there, along with about 6 other people waiting on their cars.

About the time we were getting ready to go, Ronnie tells me he has some "gas budget" money left over from the month! I had some too, so, instead of putting that into savings, or paying extra on a card or something... we had a day to burn the left over money - after all, he was gonna get paid Monday!

We went first to the movie theater and bought tickets to see Vantage point. It was gonna start around 1:00 - so we had time to go to our favorite italian restaurant and split some stromboli. Vantage point was a decent plot movie. Ronnie loved it - it was regarding a president that gets killedin Spain, and all the "vantage points" of the people that saw it happen, throughout the movie ya start to put together the "whodunnit" plan.

We left, went to split some ice-cream at Cold Stone (cuz we quit the diet... we hated it! And now I have lost back down to the weight I was before I ever started the whole diet). Went to Chick-fil-a and got something to drink. I also talked Ronnie into a second movie. He is not a huge fan of movies, but he handles it - I LOVE going to the theater, and we don't really do it that often. We went to see "21." It was a fun movie too - I liked it better... Kinda made me wish I was better at math! hahaha!!! When we got out of the theater Ronnie's parents had called and told us they had tickets to a play in town that night called "the Queen of Bingo." His dad had won the tickets, patron seats, with a reception afterwards. So basically our day was completely made up of being entertained. Two matinee movies and a play!

101 things

This is my 101st post - here is my 101 things list

1 I love Jesus Christ and want to live my life serving Him.
2 I love my husband second only to Jesus Christ
3 I have a list of things I want to do before I die
4 I am married to a man that is committed to helping me do those things:)
5 I have the cutest husband in the world
6 My job experience qualifies me to do such a random selection of things that I have a hard time doing ANYTHING
7 I sell Tupperware You know you want some
8 I am afraid of snakes
9 I don't like the dark
10 I dont like my glasses
11 I watch American Idol
12 As a child, I wanted to be a piano player, a waitress, and a cartoon character- I have accomplished two of the three - you have to guess which ones
13 The space museum in Huntsville AL is much cooler when you are 7 than when you are 27
14 I don't like to wash dishes
15 We don't have a dishwasher
16 I love to cook
17 We don't have an oven
18 I wanted to go to culinary school once
19 I got a music degree instead
20 I like rainy nights
21 I don't like thunder
22 I wish it were summer at least 9 months a year
23 My husband and I only knew each other 4 months when we got married
24 I love to travel
25 My favorite country (other than the US - which is home) is Germany
26 I lived there a year
27 I love watching movies
28 My favorite 3 are:
29 The count of monte cristo
30 Life is Beautiful
31 Beauty and the Beast
32 I like starbucks
33 I don't like sugar in my coffee
34 I drink green tea
35 Oreos were meant to be dipped
36 Peanut butter should be crunchy - it is "PEANUT" butter... needs peanuts
37 I like to be different
38 I LOVE carbonation bubbles
39 I have quit drinking cokes and other carbonated beverages (since August 07)
40 I cut my own hair
41 I just learned to do that when I got married
42 It is still an art I am working on
43 I play piano
44 I don't usually like to play solo in front of people though
45 I went to private school
46 I also went to public school
47 I also homeschooled
48 All of which qualified me to teach in a Montesorri school
49 I have a master's degree
50 I will be paying for it for the rest of my life
51 I had a perm in 5-7th grade
52 No you can't see a picture
53 I also had coke bottle glasses
54 The kids in Jr. high choir stole my glasses and threw them around the choir room
55 I couldn't see well enough to catch them
56 The next year I started homeschooling
57 When I got to college I was cool tho! ;)
58 I was thrown from a horse once
59 I landed on my head
60 No comments please
61 I learned to drive from my grandfather
62 I was 14
63 It was a big red truck without power steering
64 I am a preacher's kid
65 My brother and I got in a lot of trouble as children
66 My sister helped keep us in trouble
67 She liked to tell mom all the trouble we caused
68 I think politics are a mess
69 I worked for a politician once
70 My politician won
71 My husband wants to be a politician
72 He is a lawyer
73 There isn't much difference in the reputations
74 I like the beach
75 I like the mountains too
76 Italy was cool because the mountains ran right into the ocean
77 I like to ride my bike
78 I was a swimmer in high school
79 I wish I still swam that well
80 I would be in better shape
81 I know I should drink more water
82 it doesn't taste very good
83 I love Alabama football
84 I hope they keep getting better
85 I think I would be a great kickboxer
86 I want to be a photographer
87 I think it would be fun to be a train engineer for about a week
88 I want to work for a "quality assurance" company - to test the quality of hotels and stuff and get paid for it
89 How do some people always have cool jobs like that?
90 I drive a Toyota echo
91 It is fast
92 It is red
93 I get to talk to state troopers regularly
94 I don't like those conversations
95 I usually lose money then
96 I want to be a princess
97 Its hard to become one of those
98 Are you still reading this list
99 I wanted to be a dancer
100 I wasnt that talented
101 This was much more fun than I expected

it will have to be 101

I needed to post to say thanks for the prayers, we finally heard from Jon last night...

I will put up my 100 things... or maybe 101 now;) soon I promise!

Post 99

Well, here is post 99 - I think that means my next post has to be the 100 things... 100 things about me that you really don't wnt to know... i am not sure that there are 100 things that I haven't already shared - But i will try with all my might.

Tonight is my first Tupperware party... kinda nervous, kinda excited, kinda ready to just be GOING! Nicole is my host - and she has been wonderful so far.. Thanks girl! She sells stuff too, so she has already gone thru this "first party" junk... (she doesn't sell Tupperware tho... something else)

Before I get into the "meat" of my post - I encourage you to go here and read a story of how a guy really took Jesus serious in his "Good Samaritan" parable... EVEN in 2008, EVEN in NY, EVEN in the Bronx... Makes me think.

Pray for me and my family - we are trying to keep our head out of the land of "what if" as my mom alluded to here. Its been a few days since we heard anything from Jon... so close to the end, it just weighs a lot on our shoulders right now. Honestly, it is one of those things that we should be sharing the load with our Savior, and I know He wants to help carry my load - its just hard to actually share the weight.

Someone asked me the other day what the impact of having my brother in Iraq has been on me. The truthful answer is that any words I try to put to it, really does not do it justice. It has impacted every area of my life. On the negative side, the tears have flowed more freely, especially when songs come on that refer to kids playing and such... mainly because those are some of the memories I treasure most of my family. It has impacted my marriage. My husband has dealt with me having more homesickness than I have ever had before because of my brother. There is a feeling that I need to be there to help hold up my parents through this - which has made these last months even longer. On the positive side - my prayer life is probably stronger now - if for no other reason, anytime I wake up at night, or have a moment when my brain quits thinking about anything else, I pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual protection of my brother.

That paragraph can give you a small picture of the emotions that are rampant in my heart. I cannot put in words the total impact on my life. I respect my brother, and see him as a hero for us, and for you. I am proud of him - I love him - I miss him.

It is heavy. I am trying to "cast my cares" - and give Him some of my burden because "His burden is light." I am trying to keep taking steps forward... I am trying to be excited about Tupperware. But sometimes its just heavy. I can't explain why now more than the last few days. but it is.

Anyway - sorry if this was a darker post than what you were hoping for... We do appreciate your prayers for the safety of my brother.

Look for my "100 things" soon.

update to the weight loss

WHAT IN THE WORLD!

4 weeks of bike riding, I am up to 11 miles at least every other day. with rides of 5-6 miles on the days between and i have GAINED weight!!! for about three days I was happy to be down a pound, but yesterday - i jumped up again... KILLIN ME! so, since i had gained weight yesterday, I ate really bad - which sabatoged me today as well.

Well, since I guess you didn't come by just to find out about my weight loss, since I am quite sure you don't really care.... Let me think about anything else going on.

Hmmmm... not much - we did order some in-ear monitors for our band at church which I can hardly wait to use! those things are SO awesome! I have used them once or twice and am SO excited about having them on stage in a couple weeks!

I got some flowers from my man last night (and some chocolate) I am married to an amazing man...

Hardly anyone was at church - spring break - ya know how it is.

OH YEAH! my first Tupperware order came in! I am excited about getting that started... hopefully I will get enough this weekend to qualify as a real consultant... if not, well, its been a fun ride - but whatever. My first real party is tomorrow night at a friends house - i cant wait. I am kinda nervous, but its all people I know, so it shouldn't be too bad... I dont have trouble talking about stuff ya know, but I just hope I know all the answers I am supposed to know. Usually people like me (rookies) get to do a party or two with a trainer before they are thrown to the wolves themselves.... but not me - I get to go it alone - my first flight is solo... :) we shall see:)

go order something... www.my.tupperware.com/juliamayhew

Sun and Snow

The weekend was a wonderful celebration of Christ's ressurection. I didn't blog because things were all kinda busy and well, its hard for me to blog then. When I say busy - I mean, Saturday was like 75 degrees outside so we went on a long bike ride, and then laid on a blanket in the yard, in our swimsuits - trying to get a bit of color in our skin before Easter. It was wonderful! I soaked up the sun, Ronnie read some political books or something. I gave him a haircut outside - it was just a wonderful sunny day. (my haircut also came this weekend.. took about 2 hours on Friday afternoon to do mine... a bit shorter than planned... but still is not too bad.. )

Easter Sunday was wonderful time together - last year Easter was the day he proposed to me (of course the date was different) - but we thought back on that, (it was also the day of our first date together!!) had lunch with his parents, and one of his childhood friends was back in town so he came over last night for a while.... they talked about guns and stuff... ya know, boy stuff. The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining - it was a bit chilly, but nothing jeans and a long sleeve shirt wouldn't fix. We dyed eggs - but didn't go hide them or anything...

(Jon, Ronnie did the Red White and blue one in honor of you in Iraq on Easter!)

This morning - we woke up to THIS!!!!

Yep - welcome to Southern VA - where one day you get sun burnt, and two days later, it SNOWS!!! - - - over an inch of it on my car! It is supposed to melt by this afternoon and be back up in the 50s... but still... this is a BIT ridiculous!

Anyway, it was great to celebrate the risen Savior with my husband... our first one as a married couple.

Fish sticks for Breakfast

As a child, Good Friday meant one major thing to me - Fish Sticks for Breakfast. I don't really remember eating fish sticks often, so anytime I see them now, or eat them, I think of good Friday in the Warren household.

Jonathan would be in charge of the fire, since he was always ok with getting up early if it included fires, he would build a fire in our backyard, Jen and I would roll out of bed at the last possible minute and the whole family, would go to the back yard and sit on blankets around the fire and eat Fish Sticks and Eggs for breakfast. Mom would usually have little Rye rolls as well - This was good Friday breakfast for us. We were really celebrating after Jesus' ressurection when he appeared to the disciples and cooked breakfast for them when they came ashore after trying to catch fish. They ate the fish they had just caught... so we had the 20th cent. version of fresh fish... Fish sticks. Dad would read the easter story, we would have some concrete spikes laying next to our plates, and hold those against our wrists as dad talked so as to imagine for just a moment the pain that our Savior went through as He died for us. We would then have a prayer time.

The rest of the day was usually uneventful other than the burping of fish sticks all day... But the mornings stood out to me. I don't remember when we had our last family breakfast on Good Friday. Its one of those things that got harder and harder to do once we got in college and started moving away... I miss it though. It might even be a tradition I carry on once the are children in the Mayhew home... We shall see.

I hate the way Good Friday is skipped over in American tradition. We remember all facets of Christmas, and that is good... however, without Good Friday - the death of our Lord... and Easter - the ressurrection, Christmas would have no meaning. It would just be another day.

He was wounded for OUR transgressions, He was bruised for OUR iniquities.... and BY HIS STRIPES we are healed! Today is the remembrance of this. My transgressions, my iniquities... they are healed because of the stripes, the nails, the crown of thorns and the spear.

The crucifixion was not God's backup plan, it was His original plan. "It pleased the Father." This is such a picture of the love of God for us, His creation. He was pleased to offer His Son for our redemption.

Whoa, I could go on and on... .but I won't - Just remember, today is different. Today is the remembrance of the day Jesus died. The day His followers didn't understand what was going on. The day His mother had to think back on the little child that had been born in Bethelem just 33 years earlier and have memory slide shows of her little boy growing up. The day the temple vail was torn in half and the presence of God was now available to all men. The day the sky turned black in the middle of the day because God had turned His back away from His Son... not becuase of shame... but because our Holy God couldn't bear to be in the presence of the sin that was on the shoulders of His own Son. But this day was more than that. It was different. It was the beginning of a new period of History. It was the day that the sacrifice on the cross... the most cruel form of punishment ever imagined by the depraved human mind, bought us a chance for eternity with God! Wow!!!

I leave you with a few phrases.

Jesus paid it all - ALL to Him I owe, Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. Hallelujah, what a Savior, Hallelujah what a Friend! Jesus, what a friend for sinners, Jesus lover of my soul. How marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be - How marvelous, how wonderful is My Savior's Love for me.

It's Windy

Ok, So this blog could be a mess, it has been rumbling around in my head for about a week now, and that usually means trouble, when I decided to get it all written out it just kinda sludges out... so bear with me.

It's windy outside in southern VA today. VERY windy! The trees and bushes are leaning sideways, my windows are rattling at times. The wind is so strong that once, while standing in the garden section at Lowes today, I thought it was going to knock me over!

As I watch the wind I wonder how deep the roots have to be in order to hold the trees and bushes in the ground. I mean, I know that is the only thing stopping them from flying around my yard... but how deep are they? How deep is "deep enough" for the roots to hold on when the tough winds come? Why do some grow deeper than others? Some grow deeper because they are bigger, and need more roots. But there are times that two bushes of the same kind will grow different depths in their root system. Sometimes things, rocks, concrete, bad dirt, will get in the way of the roots, and therefore will mess up the roots system. As a planter (I am not really, but let's just pretend) I think if I knew that the root system in one location was bad, I would not plant another tree in that area. I would go to good ground and plant my tree there. Wouldn't you? I mean, you wouldn't want to waste the one little tree that you gave good money for right?

The short version of my application here is that sometimes I think as Christians we start growing roots, but then get distracted by the things around us and just decide "our roots are deep enough." But do we know what depth that our roots will need to be when the winds come? Sometimes, the winds will be only strong enough to make us sway, but sometimes, those tornado style winds will come and ONLY our root system - buried in the Word of God - will be left holding us to the only stability that we have... The Rock of our Salvation. It is then, that we will realize the true depth of our root system. Only then will we know for sure that we went deep enough.

But what about the times that things get in the way of our growth. Sometimes it is choices we make, sometimes it is circumstances out of our control. But regardless, things happen - bad dirt - rocks - other roots - mess up our growth. Some times it is our fault.... Sometimes we see that someone else is buried in bad dirt, and instead of going another direction with our own life, we decide to plant right down beside them. I don't mean we go over to help them get more roots... but we mix our roots right in the middle. THIS is the thing that has been burning in my head for a week.

I have some friends. More than one example of this - that have watched friend after friend after friend have their lives taken by drugs, alcohol, and other things like this. They see the damage, they see the pain caused, they have even seen deaths due to these things. Yet, they continue to try to grow their own root system buried down right in that same dirt. They are still drinking to the point of drunkeness regularly. They are still playing with the drug scene, the girls are still cutting and playing with anorexia. It is like it is a game. It is like they don't realize that their roots are being effected by these things! It's like they have no value on the ONE LIFE THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN! The bottom line is that it is scary to those of us who care about them. We see them continuing to rest their root system on the edge of the badness, and we see the wind coming. We can even hear it in the neighboring trees! We see our friends struggling to grow more roots, but they are growing them into the wrong things! They have left obstacles in their own way! Why can't they see what we see?

How do we go about continuously growing our own root system, in the healthy soil, so we are not blown away by the winds... and yet, move to help our friends get out of the bad soil? Well.... First, I guess we can't help them out of the bad soil unless we are already on the good ground right? Hmmm.... Anyone have thoughts on these thoughts? Anyone else experiencing similar things?

A man in the bathroom

I really hate to tell this story, but since 5 minutes after it happened, I was thinking "WHOA that wil be a funny blog," I guess I have to right?

Today I was supposed to have a lunch meeting with some ladies, but this was my first time to have this lunch meeting. I have this thing, where I don't like to go somewhere for the first time and have to walk in and first thing - go to the bathroom. So, usually, if I feel the urge, I will stop somewhere else and go potty and then go on to my commitment location. Today was one of those days. Since I am drinking a RIDICULOUS amount of water because of the new diet I started today... that makes me crave chocolate... and yellow marshmallow bunnies... and ice cream... ummm... what was I talking about?? Oh yeah.

I stopped at the Burger King next door to my final location to go use the restroom.

Walk in to the restroom and its one of those "one-holers." But it is one of the ones with the stall around the pot where someone can come in and go to the sink or whatever while ya wait on the potty. Well, a lady was in the stall. So, I waited.

I looked in the mirror.

Fixed my hair.

Tried to make some noise with my keys so she would know I was waiting.

Waited.

Heard her zip.

Then.... nothing.

No movement.

I wanted to look up and see what was going on, but I was afraid of what I would see.

I hear a cell phone dial.

Then....

"Umm, call the police and have the cops come in here. There is a man in the ladies bathroom."

I was thinking "WHAT? In her stall?? She just went to the potty and NOW she is phoning out for help with a man in her stall?"

I kept standing there.

I contemplated leaving and going to another place. But I really didn't have time. And since I wasn't eating at the BK, I decided to not walk out to the dining area and come back in later.

So, I just stood there.

I glanced up towards the stall and see someone peering out at me. Was she talking TO me? Was she telling me there was a man in there? I thought she was on her cell phone!

I hear the cell phone dialing again.

"Did you call the cops? oh, well, I think it is a woman, so never mind.... What? They are on the way already? Oh Ok... Well we will just tell them it was a mistake. I think it's a woman."

I am still wondering who is in the stall with this woman. (I know, I am slow)

Finally, she opens the door, looks me in the eye and says. "Sorry I took so long. I thought you were a man!"

A MAN!!!!!

I just ducked my head and went to the bathroom. What do you say to that?

First of all, I had on khacki pants and a green collared quarter-length sleeve FITTED shirt. I was wearing my dark brown (very cute) GIRLIE shoes.

Second, who looks out through the cracks in the bathroom stall to see who is waiting on the potty? I mean, I would have NEVER even done that! I just walk out and wash my hands!

Third, if I HAD been a man, it would have most likely been an accident, and therefore required NO POLICE!

Anyway, I went to the bathroom quickly because the conversation sounded like the police were coming and honestly, I didn't want to deal with them asking me whether or not I was a man or a woman.

I might, or might not ever get over that.

So, I got to my car, passed the ladies waiting on the sidewalk (It was the lady from the bathroom and I guess the woman on the other end of the phone?? Not sure about that). They were waiting on the police I guess.

I left, and as I pulled into the parking lot of the place where I was supposed to be meeting my friends, I see the flashing lights of the police cars pulling into the BK parking lot.

I went inside quickly:)

So, now I am not sure about this diet, maybe I should NOT diet and put on some more weight so there are more curves or something... I mean, I thought I was CUTE today, not MANLY! Yeah, the pants were cargo pants, from Aeropostale, but they are GIRL pants. I have a waist! I am even wearing my princess socks!! (yes, I have them) I AM A GIRL!

Talk about confidence busters... I need to go paint my nails or something...

questions

Why do airlines make it so hard to get the free tickets you promise?

Why do I crave sugar the very DAY I commit to a diet? I mean, I would KILL for an oreo right now.

Why does spring tease us? acting like its coming and then leaving frost on the windshield again?

Why do people not learn from the mistakes of others? I mean, wouldn't we be so much further along if we would realize when someone messes up, that we are vulnerable too? (more thoughts on this when I have time... )

Why does time pass quickly on Saturday and yet putt putt around on Monday?

ok... enough... :)

Have a wonderful Monday.

I have to go exercise now.

2 then 1

Ok, I have 2 pretty useless things to mention and then something a bit more serious that has been festering in my mind this past week.

1. I just went over 10,000 views!!! YEA!!! We all celebrate!!! PARTY!!!!!!

2. I lost my FIRST pound yesterday!! (probably gained it back last night when I ate some ice cream while at a friends house... but that is NOT the point!)

3. And this one is longer.

The news this past week has been overwhelming. Gov. Spitzer's decision to have the call girl has become normal conversation around tables, in homes, at work, and on cell phones. I don't usually watch much TV, but it seems that every news channel in the mornings has had conversations on the topic. Some saying its all his fault, some blaming his wife, some blaming the girl, and even some blaming his parents and the way he was raised.
I know there are THOUSANDS of opinions out there. And I also know that there is a lot of the story that I don't know, nor do I want to know all of the story - however, here are my two cents, just in case you wondered.
1. The poor girl. Yes, she signed up for the agency and put herself out there. We don't know her hurts, failures, pains... and so who are we to judge her. She is someone's daughter. Someone, at some point in time loved, the little two year old girl. They helped her get ready for her first day of kindergarten, they taught her to ride a bike and watched as she fed the puppy for the first time. Her life will now be marked forever. She will not have the freedom to walk down the streets and not be looking over her shoulder wondering what someone is saying about her. The job market will be difficult. It will be tough. Her face, and now, even her name has been spread internationally with millions of people discussing her and her mistake. I don't know about you, but I sure would hate for someone to be parading my mistakes around on TV, Internet, and for my mistake to be the topic of dinner conversation around the country. The worst part is some of the people I have read that claim Christianity, but are showing judgement more than Christ would ever have allowed. I guess some people don't really want to see the lesson in the story of the woman caught in adultery. "Who condemns you? Neither do I. Go and sin no more."
2. The wife. Any wife that ever had to deal with this would feel pain I can only imagine. I can't imagine feeling that pain publicly, having every smile, tear, glance and movement judged by some "expert" on body language. This lady is smart. Has a Harvard Law degree - do the media really think she doesn't know what they are doing?
3. The daughters. They will spends most of their lives overcoming their last name. They will learn to deal with the pain of this as publicly as their mom will deal with it. When they meet people, they will learn to recognize the "facial expression" of the people when they realize who the girls' dad is. That knowing smile, that look of pity, that well intentioned "How are you doing?" The pain will echo for years to come.

He made the calls, he paid the price. He was a trusted elected official. I do have to say that I appreciate that once he was caught, he faced up to it as opposed to other officials caught in scandals who have tried to cover it indefinately. However, the pleasure of those nights will echo through his life and the price will be much greater than he ever intended to pay.

My mom used to tell us growing up: "Sin will always take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and make you pay MUCH more than you ever wanted to pay." I believe Gov. Spitzer will pay a price higher than he intended for a long time. But having said that - the forgivness and freedom in Christ that I feel should be offered to the girl must be offered equally to him.

Anyway, that is my soapbox. I will get off of it now. I have another that is forming in my head - but I will save that for another time.

Biking

Well - today I am learning discipline. I have been riding my bike regularly for about two weeks now - almost daily except when weather stopped me, and then I walked in the mall or something to make myself have something resembling a workout! Anyway, some days, I ride in the mornings to be sure I go, and then when Ronnie gets home, we go riding together. Well, yesterday, we pumped it up a bit. We usually ride a 5 mile circle - but yesterday, we stopped at the school that is down the street from us and walked/ran an extra mile before we came home! Today, I need to go ride - it is a beautiful day - but well, my legs are sore and I just don't want to go! Its one of those things ya know, you don't want to do it even though you know you will feel better afterwards and you will enjoy the results later too??

Well, thats another thing. See, I have been doing this for two weeks - and i weigh the EXACT same as I did before I started! I can't get the numbers on the scale to move at all!! Ronnie is losing weight... I am staying the same - and I am exercising at least double what he is doing!!! I just DON'T GET IT! It sure does make it a LOT harder to go get on the bike.

Hmmm... but today is wednesday and if i dont ride now, then we wont ride later because of church - we have to walk the mall today.

Anyway, thats about as deep as I am going to get today - I think I am consistantly boring lately - sorry.

Sadness in the Mayhew household

Well, after all the fun stories that Ziba has provided for Ronnie and I - and the wonderful dog that she was - I have to share the sad news that she passed away this weekend. She always had a bad habit, as mentioned earlier, of chasing cars - - from the front of the car. She particularly liked the front tires. Saturday morning, she got her timing wrong, and was hit. The lady that hit her came back and was crying, she was always so careful with Ziba, I felt really sorry for her too.

Ziba became a part of our family the week after our wedding. So other than our first week of marriage, we just don't know about married life without her. She was just always here. We will miss her.

We also had quite a weekend with a missions conference at our church. WHEW!!! It was so crazy! We kept a couple of guys at our house that travel with "light" from Liberty University - that was tons of fun too.

In other news, I recieved my packet of Tupperware stuff last week and have a couple people wanting to schedule some parties and that is WONDERFUL but makes me a bit nervous as well! I mean, I am actually gonna be selling this stuff! WHOA!

Sorry this is a short factual post without the normal banter that would put most people to sleep, but I have to go clean up and start learning how to SELL TUPPERWARE!

Ultimate Blog Party

I am participating in the ultimate blog barty over at 5.minutes for mom. No, I am not a mom - but hey, any excuse to party right???

Anyway, The idea is to give you a basic idea of what my blog is, and then have you link over to the "5 minutes for mom" site so that you can see what other people are doing in bloggy land. This is supposed to be HUGE!

Anyway, my blog is just the way I view my life. I have typos, I have funny stories, I have sadness, and fears. I am just Julia. I somehow always have some adventure going on, and this is the way I let it all out - I mean, just within the last week of posts the stories have been entertaining.

Honestly, I started this blog because I got married last summer and moved about 8 hours away from my family, and at the same time my brother went to war in Iraq... it seemed like the best way to stay in touch with my family without ridiculous phone bills.... but now, I have fallen in love with blogging and will continue indefinately... (of course, I will also be a long way away from my family indefiantely too... so there ya go:))

Anyway - enjoy the party ladies!

Ziba and THE STORM

Well we had an interesting night. The storms that the news is still talking about this morning here in southern VA were loud - the tornado warnings had us all listening closely to the wind in case of the "freight train" sound. We unplugged the TV, VCR, Internet and all that. After losing two televisions in this house, we don't play anymore - however that also had taken away our way to know what was going on around us.

I was sleepy though. That was the best thing for me to do - go to sleep and sleep through the storm. Right as I drifted off, Ronnie JUMPED out of bed, grabbed his gun, and ran to the front of the house. My heart started racing but all I got out of my mouth was, "WHAT are you DOING?" As if he were doing this just to wake me up. All he responded with was "I heard something."

yeah, thats comforting.

He throws open the front door and I hear ALL the neighborhood dogs going CRAZY. Ziba was obviously being loud too. I am usually more worried about Ziba frustrating our neighbors. Ronnie starts yelling from the front porch.. "ZIBA! ZIBA!" I am REALLY more worried now about Ronnie - its one thing for Ziba to make the neighbors mad, but Ronnie yelling at her might just put them over the edge. I am behind him (inside the house) watching out the door.

Finally Ziba comes running back to the house, Ronnie had watched her chase something down our driveway, and around the abandoned house across the street twice when she just decided to come back to the porch. She was terrified. At least Ronnie said she was, I didn't get that close. About the time she gets to the porch, our neighbors down the street turn on their flood lights and BANG! One shot..... This makes Ronnie go back to the edge of the porch. About that time. BANG! A second shot.

The flood lights turn back off.

I have no idea what they were shooting at. Did they see the creature Ziba had been fighting with under our carport? Were they shooting because Ziba had made them angry? Were they shooting warning shots because Ronnie was yelling? I am just not sure. But regardless, it took me a while to get back to sleep of course. Ronnie said it was either a Coyote, or Fox or something... I am not sure Ziba could have scared off a Coyote without getting injured, so I think it was something smaller... We think whatever it was, was taking Ziba's food - and well - no one messes with Ziba's food - she is VERY protective of all things FOOD.

So, thats the excitement of the story, lightening, thunder, tornadoes, dogs barking, guns firing. Just a normal night in southern VA.

Weekend

I have to write quickly.
Funny story for the weekend.

Friday, I decided it was time to flip my mattress! I mean, arent you supposed to do that regularly? So, I was home alone... (first mistake).. and as I got the mattress up in the air, I am standing on the box springs, with the mattress up on its side - - the mattress started to fall over! I was holding on and slowly regained my balance! I stepped down on the ground, I was now at the end of the bed holding the mattress up in the air when I realized that on the other side of the bed, where the mattress was going rather quickly, there was a glass where I had drank something the night before and left my glass there.... There was nothing I could do. The mattress fell, bumped the glass, it broke immediately on the table, and then all three parts went in slow motion towards the floor...... where it SHATTERED! All over the floor on MY side of the bed!

So, I stopped all of my other work, which to that point had been going GREAT, and cleaned glass. I swept, used duct tape (cuz you should always use duct tape to get the glass out of the floor), and then swept again... I was careful not to walk in my shoes around the house until I checked to see if there was glass in the shoes. I mean... I took ALL kinds of precautions so that I would NOT have a huge piece of glass in my foot!

Friday night... well.. actually Saturday morning.... around 3:00am. I had to get up to go to the restroom on my nightly trip. On the way back to the bed, as I turned to walk up MY side of the bed, it happened. Yep. Julia has a HUGE chunk of glass in the heel of her foot. I don't remember exactly how I woke Ronnie up. But there was no way I could have gotten the glass out by myself! He was so good about it, he woke up, went and got the tweezers, cleaned them up, came back where I was laying on the bed and put my foot under his arm so he could try to stabalize it since every time he touched it I kept jerking. I really didnt mean to... it just happened!

I finally passed out. He said he kept wondering if I would pass out, but he knew it had finally happened when I quit jumping when he touched me... So, he worked quickly, got the glass out, and I came to as he was putting the band-aid on my heel. I couldn't figure out how he was done already, but just wanted to go back to sleep.

I do believe that there may be some nerve damage or something because now whenever I take a step and land on my heel, it hurts up to my knee. It doesn't really hurt on the actual cut - it is WAY up ion my leg. But every day is a bit better. I was planning to start running yesterday in my "look good in time for the cruise" plan. But had to change that and start riding my bike instead since I can't really touch my heel to the ground! i have spent the last three days walking on my left foot and right tip-toes. Its more fun than you can imagine.

Oh well, if I dont go get on my bike and exercise now, I will have to ride in the rain... and I dont really want to do that, so I have to go now - Just wanted to tell you about my "reward" for cleaning house!

Tupperware

Well, it has happened. I tried to fight and fight and I finally gave in. I am now OFFICIALLY at real house wife - with a "stay at home" job and EVERYTHING! I went with Tupperware. I am now a Tupperware saleswoman. I am setting up my official site, and I am sure I will have moments of shameless plugging along the way, but who wouldn't?? I mean, don't you eat? Don't you want your food to stay "un-stale?" Don't you need Tupperware? I don't mean that cheap imitation stuff you buy at Wal-mart that melts the first time something actually gets hot in it.. I mean Tupperware, the stuff your mom used to have in the 1970s colors of orange and brown... Now we have awesome pink, green, yellow... etc. etc.

I can do parties, online or at your home, I can take orders - You can see what you want to buy at this site. Just let me know how MUCH you have MISSED having Tupperware since you were a kid!!! and stop in.

Starbucks thoughts

Sitting in Starbucks – Its Thursday afternoon and WHOA what a week it has been. Not that there has been a crazy amount of stuff to do, although that is true too. However, it has just been intense stuff that had to be done. But whatever, it is Thursday, and for me – Thursday = Friday for most other people. My work (at least this week) is pretty much done Thursday afternoons.

For the last three weeks I have been teaching at the school that is a part of our church. I was teaching a class on prayer – it is amazing how often that topic has come up in my life lately – hmmm…. Is God telling me something? Maybe – anyway, yeah, I had 7 students, had a great time, learned a lot myself, and only because it met early in the mornings.. which I do not do well, am I glad it is over. Really I will miss it. The kids were great, everyday a bit more fun as the kids relaxed with me, I relaxed with them – I got better at reading their faces, and they looked like they were actually trying to understand me. All in all – I am glad I did it, I hope they had fun too. I think the hardest part for me was giving a GRADE! It helped me to realize the challenges I will face when I start teaching at the college in April – but I think that will be different in that I will be dealing with music in that, not in prayer. I mean, how do you give a grade to a teenager when the topic has been prayer?? I had to give a quiz grade, and a test grade. I made it as simple as I knew how - - and still have a student who is not going to really “pass” the class. But whatever – they had to memorize a Bible verse for the quiz, and the test grade came from a prayer journal that I had them keep over the three weeks of the class…. I wasn’t even grading on content!!! Oh well – I tried.

As far as what I learned? That I do a lot of talking and sometimes don’t do the actions. When you are teaching something that you are struggling with yourself – it is tough! I had to several times admit my lack of faith, lack of believing what God can and will do through me, my lack of discipline to actually talk to him…. I am working on writing all my notes out now – well, at least I will do it soon. Hehehe (procrastinator at heart…. And in real life)

I also played piano for a funeral today. I have done this before, for people that were actually much closer to me personally. However, today, for some reason it really hit me. It was a 46 year old man that had a heart attack back on Monday. He wasn’t in great health, however, this was unexpected. How quickly we can go from happy, life, and all that jazz, to death – but at the same time, to be absent from the body, for me, will be to be present with the Lord. I thought about my husband, my family, my friends. How much I would miss them, but luckily for me, with my husband and my family - - I have to think, that through the sadness, there wil have to be a level of jealousness…. That they are then present with the Lord. Anyway, I am not sure what all thoughts are going through my head at this moment with regard to all of that – only that I am so thankful that I am here, that I have a wonderful husband that loves me, and an awesome family. A mom and dad that have raised me to love the important things, and know my priorities… a brother and sister that although we are all miles apart, love each other dearly and would do anything to help each other out… I just hope I tell you all that I love you often enough!

Well, as I started this telling you, I am blogging from the Starbucks in my city. On a beautiful blue sky day here in southern VA. I see a few wisps of white clouds in the sky, but other than that – it is gorgeous from inside. Outside it is COLD! The wind is horrible! I am all dressed up (from the funeral) and I am sure the people sitting around me think I am typing some official document – or writing a book – or something deep. And part of me wishes I were. However, I am not – I am blogging…. Telling my closest internet friends what is going on in my life – I have been bad at that these last two weeks because of the insanity in life… but now you can see I am trying! While they all think I am too important!

The music is a French sounding mixture. No words, just artsy music playing in the background. Part of me wishes I were in France now. Hmmmm… June of 2004 – Paris France with a school group of Germans. 8 days in the big city. How I learned to love that city so fast. I had heard before that either you will LOVE Paris, or hate it. Well, I loved it. The romance, actually standing under the Eiffel tower, seeing the Moulin Rouge, the Louvre, the Mona Lisa (as simple as she is), the Arc de triumph… in an early summer week, laying on the grass and hearing the students from the school tell us why these places have left their place in history, in German of course – because back then I understood it. Sitting in a café close to Monte Montre just after watched the sun go down over the city while sitting on the steps of Sacre Couer. It was a dream wasn’t it? It feels like it now. But the music I hear brings back these memories. Reminds me of the moments in the sun, the walking down the streets, the smells come back slowly – the French people sitting for hours in the afternoon in the cafes along the street, and smiling at each other because they pass the same way daily. (I could discuss this for a while… how we do that so much in life – go through our motions, see people every day, and never really know who they are - - and therefore never get the chance to share with them our Savior!) The German girls I spent the week with. Its kinda funny, because I was with two girls that whole week. At the beginning of the week I didn’t know either of them. I met them on the train on the way to France. We were with the same group from the same school, however, this was the French class - - I taught English, so I knew the English students, not the French students!!! However, we became friends quickly, I was “officially” a chaperone… that helped them to be able to do more things… However, I felt more like a student in that I was learning SO MUCH that week! The teacher of the class didn’t speak any English, but she wanted me to love Paris like she did. She told me many times how wonderful the city was. Her excitement for the city inspired mine! I was not afraid to venture out in that city, with those girls I barely knew – I sometimes wonder why I get so scared in this small town. That adventure spirit will always be a part of who I am. It seems that those adventures are slowing down in my life right now. However, there are new ones here. There have to be.

Those memories I am sure have begun to fade through time – yet, I hope they never will. I can hardly wait until I go to Europe again. I don’t know how long that will be. Could be years – but I miss it! I miss Germany – the people that I love there… I miss Italy and the week I was there with my German sister… I miss France – and those two girls that I shared one of the top 10 most exciting weeks of my life with!

Ok, well the music just changed, it’s a bit jazzier – don’t worry, I am not going to go into the emotions that brings back. That is for another day.

This blog has been random enough. If you are still with me after my learning, my thoughts about life and death, and my memory lane then you certainly deserve an award… or at least a trip to starbucks - - the birthplace of this post! :)

I do hope you have had a wonderful week.

Cabin pics

Posted here - go see - come back - comment - have a nice day!

The cabin

Ronnie and I went to a cabin in the Blue Ridge mtns this weekend (really just Sunday night and all day Monday since he was off for President's day - but I like to pretend it was the whole weekend!) and had a BLAST! I have to tell ya the story though, and will provide pictures as time allows this week - I have a lot of teaching and stuff this week... so I might be slow - but I promise they will come eventually, they are too good not to share!

The cabin was so cute - it was a one bedroom little cottage - mostly brown as cabins should be. The decorations were very.. umm.. "cabinesque" (is that a word??? it is now). the kitchen was perfect! (It even had an OVEN!!!!! AHHHH!!!!) The view was nice out the windows and one of my favorite things was the swing on the front porch! I think it was possibly the first time Ronnie and I have ever been on a swing together (yeah, we are new at all this married stuff.) The back porch had great places to sit and stuff (we didn't spend much time on the back porch, but I am sharing the experience with you guys). There was a fire pit out in the driveway and looked like it would be a lot of fun to sit around and have a campfire - - but to us, it seemed like too much work for this weekend!!! Basically, the whole cabin was adorable!! I couldn't have asked for a better place for us to relax! However, I have to tell ya the scary part for me. As I walked into the living room, in the floor was a HUGE bear skin rug. I am talking about one with the head and claws still attached. OH MY GOSH! I don't think I have ever seen one in person before! So, in order to avoid the view of this, I looked up on top of the TV and there was a "bobcattish" thing. Not the whole animal, it was the head, attached to a board of some sort. The mouth was formed as if it were coming OUT of the board! It looked so mean. There was a stuffed owl sitting next to the bobcat, a duck, skunk skin, raccoon skin and two deer heads on the wall. (one of those deer was in the bedroom.... I STRUGGLED to sleep when I first laid down!! but then the bed was QUITE comfy - and it was raining on the tin roof... so the struggling was very short lived as you can imagine). It was kinda funny I was so jumpy the first 30 minutes we were there because I just kept wondering where the next animal was going to be hanging around!!! On the back porch, there was an Elk... AN ELK!!!! Other random skins were laying around as decoration on the tables etc. etc. Once I got over the shock... I realized that this is what you put in cabins... It was just that I had never really been in a REAL cabin. The ones I usually stayed in were the type that we had at Kids Kamp or Youth camp or something.. basically a wooden building with rows of bunk beds... I was welcomed into the world of cabins with a few animals... :)

Now, I love animals - outside. I particularly love dogs (esp. my poop-recruiting-Ziba... but that is another story). I think bears are cute from a LONG distance. I like to watch birds fly over head and here in VA I always notice when the skunks have gone on to the stinky place in the sky and give ample respect! HOWEVER, there were a lot of animals!

Anyway, I will finish this by saying that once I got over the initial surprise... I really LOVED the weekend with my man! The owners of the cabin let us ride their 4-wheelers, and other than the one time I got stuck and Ronnie had to save me (my hero!!) it was all so much fun I had no desire whatsoever to leave that mountain home with the animals. I have to admit that I never got around to actually stepping on the bear-skin rug. I bumped the edges a few times but promptly moved away from it. But other than that.... I really got used to the animals faster than I thought I would. Maybe it was more that I was finally away with my husband. No cell phones. No internet. Lots of movies. Antenna TV. the first day was cloudy (REALLY FOGGY) - and a wonderful time of necessary cuddling and cooking together while watching movies. The second day was as clear as could be with perfect weather to layer up and go ride the 4 wheelers. It was a little muddy but not so much that we were getting stuck every few minutes or anything.

I really LOVED the weekend! I really can't wait for another time to get away like that. It was a perfect get-away for us and the perfect time!

Valentine's Day pics

I did NOT post the doo pics.... (I deleted them from the camera... it was entirely too crass for my comfort)

However, I did post some pics from yesterday's snowy V-day.

doggie, diapers, and doo

Ziba is our dog. A quality Heinz 57 breed of mutt. She has been the topic of my blog at least once before and while she can be cute - she is actually quite a pain the the tail sometimes. She chases cars and since we live on the corner where you pretty much have to pass our house to get to town, i am sure there are many people on our street that hate our dog. She also has a tendency to take things that aren't her from our neighbors (again, we are sure she is endeared to each person on our street!)

Last night, as we got home from our Valentine's date (Italian food and a movie... how wonderful for me!). There was a pile of stuff in our front yard. drug up by Ziba I am sure. We chose to leave it over night so that we could just come in and rest - this was apparantly a GOOD DECISION.

Ronnie looked out the window this morning, it looked like a newspaper. No problem. He went out to grab it and put it in a trash bag before she had the chance to mess it all up more, and well... it appears that there is more than a newspaper. Either she found some baby diapers, or some depends - we aren' real sure which one it was because we didn't look to close for obvious reasons.
However, they ARE full of... well... what diapers and depends get full of... 'doo'

Anyway, it is all in my kitchen in layers of trashbags now.(I think I have used 3 of them!) I need to go take it to the dump, I want it out of my house, but seeing as how it disgusts me, I don't want to put it in my car!!! So, for now, I am hiding in my bedroom, while someone else's doo is in the trashbags in the kitchen... I can't even go get my coffee!

Anyway - I was going to attach some pic here - but it is taking too long this morning, so, I will load them to PICASA as usual, and will attach that link later when it is done.

Snowy Valentines

Well, in southern VA we woke up this morning to a white Valentines day! The only other time in mylife I experienced this was in Germany in 2004. I remember going for a long snowy walk in the woods with my German family that day, and have some great memories even from that one walk! As well as some fun pictures:) I do sometimes miss my "other home" a.k.a. Deutschland. While it was oen of the hardest years of my life, it was also one of the ones with the best memories. Isn't that how life usually is? the really hard things, when you look back at them, are the ones where we learned the most, and in turn enjoyed at least some aspect of it?

So, today, I went for a walk in the woods. My brother said he wanted to see some snow, so I took some pictures. I had Germany flashbacks while Ziba and I explored the white wonderland that is behind my house. I did some thinking while walking, and while I don't want to put you all through the depths of my brain (I don't even know that I understand what all goes on in there sometimes!) I did think a bit on, well, being someone's Valentine. Last year, Ronnie and I were just getting this adventure started - however he sent me a HUGE box to the church I was singing at in Missouri. It was the day that my director realized I wasn't going to be on the road much longer, it was the first time in my life that Valentines day was really something that I thought might not be complete torture (the rest of my life it had pretty much always been Single Awareness Day) -

This morning, I woke up to two little boxes from our local jeweler. Once again, small shiny objects amaze me and make my man stand out in the crowd. I got a necklace and earrings with pearls :) YEA! I realize we are newlyweds and all - but I have to give my man props for that:)

I got him, well, a card, M&Ms and heart shaped pancakes... hmm.. I think I was outdone - luckily, I think we were both ok with that:)

Back to the point, to be his Valentine - to love him more than any other woman on earth, in a way that no other woman could ever love him - to make him feel special every day, not just 2/14 - To be sure that he knows he is my hero and I choose him over everyone else on the planet! - whew - being a valentine has a lot of responsibility - - 365 (366 this year) days a year!... I am not sure how good I do all the time.. but I am trying to learn to be a good Valentine. all the time. because I KNOW I sure am married to a romantic man. :)

So, Happy Valentines to all my "coupled" friends. And Happy Single Awareness to all my "Single" friends - please know that you too are loved!!!

Most of all - Happy Valentine's Day to my Valentine :) I love you sweetie.

** edited** As I arrived to pick up my Valentine for our very romantic meeting with the CPA for our taxes today, My man got in the car with some red tulips, a sweet card, and a bar of Toblerone (possibly the BEST chocolate in the world!) What a man What a man What a might fine man!!!

$24

Shopping for my man never ceases to amaze me. I heard abotu JC Penny's great sales this week, so I thought I would go by and see what was going on. I found some great deals.

Now, if I were to go shopping for deals, and they were all picked over (because I am always the last to know about good deals). I wouldn't find ANYTHING for me. The leftovers just dont fit my body.... ever.

However, for my man - shopping was no problem - three XL shirts. one 5.97, one 6.97 and one 9.99. $24 (regularly $102 for the group combined). And I was out of there! 20 minutes!!!!

He hasn't tried any of them on, he only looked at them because I got them out of the bag and made him look. It must be so awesome for clothes to be that simple. See something, buy it - wear it - no worries about it being to big in the waist, to short, to low-cut, to high. Just see an XL - buy it - wear it. sigh....

Birthday Pics

There are some bday pics posted at
http://picasaweb.google.com/allegro425/RonnieSBday

go see - then come back and comment!

for my friends in facebook, some of these are posted there as well - but this is by far the larger group!

PS. Thank you Kathy for letting me use your oven to bake my husband's birthday cake!

Birthday memories

So Saturday, my wonderful husband turned 26. (Yes I am older than he is). We started the day with just some time together. We didn't have a particular time that we needed to do anything in the morning. I made him pancakes and bacon - we sat around and did a lot of nothing for the morning. We just had a relaxing Saturday morning in February!

For lunch, we went to the Japanese restaurant here in town and had a fun little date - we didn't even have to share our table with anyone! It was just me and my man (and the Japanese chef).

We then went to his parents house and shot guns for the afternoon (it was a BOY birthday for sure:)) however I enjoyed shooting the pistols and rifles too. (Watch out when ya come around the Mayhew house:) hehehehe).

On another topic - we did not win the grand prize for the k-love contest - however, I am sure the couple that did win are very qualified to be winning. So I am not jealous. At. All. I mean, after all, how romantic IS a love song written completely about your love story? hehehe..

I am teaching the next two weeks on prayer at WCA. I feel so under qualified for this - however - I also feel that God has placed me in a position to learn as well at teach. So, here I go. Teaching high school students how to pray, why we pray, who prayed in the Bible and what did that accomplish. Hmm....... I was suppsoed to start today, but with the wind and all, school was delayed 2 hours. (For those in the midwest - I am sure you guys don't get to cancel or delay school for wind advisory huh? Well. Sorry)

I have heard lately about the "women of faith" conferences that are going on these days. I really want to go to one of those. I guess I am going to have to google the conference myself to see when they are coming close to VA. or anywhere else I can get a cheap flight to.

Gotta go clean my house - sorry this post was so, well, random - my brain is running in circles with lots of stuff to do:)

Ready for Weekend

This week has lasted forever! It seriously feels like its been FOREVER since I saw a weekend!! Oh well - it is coming tomorrow, AND tomorrow is Ronnie's birthday! So, I have had quite a time getting a brilliant idea about doing something special for his birthday that is kinda new - different from what we usually do - and something he would enjoy! I think I have a plan, but since I am not doing it until tomorrow, and I never know when he is going to decide to read my blog.... I am not talking about it today - maybe Monday.

On another topic. Our Christian radio station is called "KLove" - it is a nationwide Christian radio station that is based out of California (although some of the announcers are from texas I think). They have a station in our area. This V-day season, they have had a contest about love stories. They wanted people across the nation to send an email - 250 words or less - about their love story. So, I sent our in. It was TOUGH to get it down to 250 words, but hey - - what is there to lose?

Well yesterday afternoon, I get a call on my cell phone - it is the announcer from KLOVE. She said we are finalists! She recorded our conversation and then it was played on NATIONWIDE RADIO!!! OH MY GOSH!!! My heart was POUNDING when I was talking, and some of what I said was silly. However, it was fun to then call Ronnie and have him listen to it come over the air via telephone. AND we are in the running for the grand prize - which is having Matthew West write a love song based on our story - and sing it live on the air on V-day. I have never been a big fan of V-day... it used to be "single-awareness" day to me. However, this year - it could be really cool! (Last year wasn't bad either - Ronnie shipped me a box of V-day stuff while we were on the road in Missouri!)

Anyway - that was the excitement for yesterday... gotta run today.... gonna get to go shopping!

WFMW: Musical instruments

Shannon at rocks in my dryer is doing a themed "Works for me Wednesday" for online shopping. I don't do this as much anymore because I have the equipment that I need for what I am doing now. However, being a musician that has played in multiple types of bands - I was in constant need of new cables, pedals, instruments and accessories. For most of these, Musicians friend clearance page was my place of choice! If you have enough stuff to get $99 or more (I would save up what I needed until it cost this much) it was free shipping. Now that I am married, and pretty much set musically in my church job, I haven't been ordering as much - but there is also a scratch and dent page too which helped me get a keyboard stand and a mic stand for really cheap. Beware cables in that area though if you are not able to fix them yourself. They definately work at first, they are just weaker. (that has been my experience).

Of course, Amazon is my location for books and all things "reselling."

Finally, etsy has WONDERFUL hair bows for young girls. (I am advertising for my sister for this one.... maybe I will get a better Birthday present:)) If you have girls, you know how hard it is to find the bows that match the outfits. With my niece, we were ALWAYS looking for the "red" bow. She LOVED to throw the bow out of her hair, out of the stroller when we weren't looking. I specifically remember going back ALL THE WAY through Steinmart, Tuesday morning, and Chick-fil-a once because she had thrown out her LAST RED BOW! Mom and I just KNEW we were going to be in trouble with Jen once she found out.... So, all this to say, the bows you are looking for - are here.

Happy shopping!

New day

Well - I am successfully failing at all of my resolutions this year so far. However, it is now a new month. I was watching Martha Stewart last week (yeah - I should have really been working on my resolutions instead of wasting my time... I know, I know.) and she had someone on the show that was talking about resolutions and how everyone is pretty much giving up on their "new year's goals" by the end of January - - and well - - I am.

But, the point was that we can change the way we look at it and we can get a enw start without waiting till 2009. We all like new beginnings. A new chance to look at life again. A day to start without the mistakes from yesterday, and a blank screen to start writing on again. Being a musician, I like my blank screens to start a little later than you early birds... but I love a blank screen that starts around 10:00 and I can write on it late into the night. Anyway, that is beside the point. (I don't GET that late start usually.. I am just saying that is the way I prefer it!)

Today - its the 4th of February, 2008 - I get to start over again today! So far, I have successfully done a few things this morning, and I have a list a mile long today however... what a wonderful opportunity to start again.

yesterday - we sang a "good hymn of the faith" as many like to call them at church. The lyrics are like this,

Great is thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father
there is no shadow, of turning with thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness - Lord unto me.

Now, in my own words - without the "Thee's and Thou's" since I dont talk like that usually.

Oh my Father, Your faithfulness is so great!
You never turn - not even a shadow's worth!
You do not change, your compassion never fails
As you have been... That is forever how You will be (for a girl... this is the ultimate security statement)
Great is Your faithfulness
Great is Your faithfulness
EVERY MORNING YOUR MERCIES ARE NEW IN MY LIFE!
Everything I need (not want) You have provided through your generous hand
Your faithfulness is so great to me Lord.

Those words had me near tears as I played the bass during the morning service. I wanted to fall to my knees and bow to the realness of the faithfulness of my Father. He is faithful to me - to us. Even when we don't see it. Even when we feel lonely. Even when we are ungrateful. His faithfulness (thank goodness) is not one of those "dependent on our actions" type of things. It is not a conditional promise. He is faithful through our unfaithfulness! (not sure if that is a word).

Every morning he gives me new mercies, as our worship pastor said yesterday - this is a good thing... because He knows I certainly used up all my mercies for yesterday, I need new ones today!

So, today - the first Monday in February. I am going to work on the resolutions again. New today.

Moving on

Well, yesterday was tough. I seem to have this trend going these days.... sorry.

Last night though, I had practice at church with the Sunday morning band. I almost skipped it. I felt so bad by the time I got there I wanted to throw up. I couldn't find any one reason that I felt that bad - I think the emotions of the last two weeks all built up and I had been alone most of the day so it had all festered inside of me till I just about made myself sick. Not just the fact that people were laughing at me - but still the death of a friend last week, my brother learning about that and knowing he had to deal with that alone, and a few other things that I haven't blogged about because either they are too personal, or they are too long of a story! Anyway - bottom line is that by last night, I was done - I just wanted to go home and cry for a while.... I almost called and said I couldn't practice. It was the first week I was not going to be responsible for the rehearsal in a month, and I just didn't want to be there.

However, the "never quit" mentality that is somehow deep down inside of me pushed me into practice. Our first song was an older Darlene Szchech (sp?) song... the chorus is something like this - "You are my shield, my strength, my portion, deliverer, my shelter, strong tower, my very present help in time of need." WHOA! How great is that? I almost started crying while I was singing it - thankfully, this is not my week to be singing in a mic (doesn't mean I won't sing... just that we have so many altos, I don't get a mic this week... which is fine with me) so the shaky voice that came out as I started singing didn't draw attention from the rest of the band. So now, that is my claim. He is my shield - from the people around me that seem to have two faces right now... He is my strength - to get through the tough times... He is my portion, all that I need - He is my deliverer, from the days that I just don't want to face.... He is my shelter - to protect me from the storms... My strong tower, in Him alone can I hide... my very present help in time of need.

I know that the stresses I have right now are nothign compared to what I know some of my friends are facing. And at times, that makes me think that I don't need to even feel bad about this.. I mean after all, it was JUST someone laughing at me - and in the scheme of things... it just doesn't matter in light of eternity... I know that some of my readers are dealing with REAL stuff - deaths, diseases, etc. etc. - So, I want to quit complaining and simply say that I am putting my trust back in Him alone. Not in myself, or my job, or anything else around me. I am also re-focusing on my reason for doing the things I do. It DEFINATELY isn't the money, or the respect, or even the fulfillment that I want. I simply want to do what I am called to do. I will never make lots of money doing ministry. I cannot rely on the people I am working with to provide me with fulfillment - that can only come from Christ as well.

So, thats me - moving on... emotionally - but not physically right now. Gonna go right back in there and keep on doing what I am supposed to be doing. I do appreciate you guys for praying for me.

Thanks.... :)