Chocolate Covered Pretzels

My new favorite food just might be "chocolate covered pretzels"!

The only problem is, you can only have 4. If you have more than 4, you add 25grams of carbohydrates to your body. Maybe YOUR body needs that, but this body is currently under-reacting to the intake of high-carb/high-calorie foods and saving them for later in little highly inefficient compartments labeled celluloid. And, they are holding a convention in my bottom and exterior thigh regions. Ugh. Perhaps my new 5:30 a.m. walking regimen will crash that party and send those guys packing! One can only hope.

Okay, time to hide the bag of CCP's and get back to work!

Enjoyed the visitors last night. I truly feel like I have "instant" daughters sometimes. The great part about "instant" daughters is they always show up in a good mood, are interested in whatever you are doing and want to participate in things like eating food I cook and cleaning my house. I suppose this is what grandparenting might feel like...all the fun and none of the fuss. Hey! I've got at least 50 more years before I see a grandkid! Right? Okay, well maybe, at least 10-15 years!

Speaking of future grandchildren...Jameson was Mr. Grumpy Gills last night. A lecture in phone etiquette is LONG overdue. Me thinks he may be super Mr. Grumpy Gills after I have a little talk with him later today.

And, speaking of today - it is WEDNESDAY!!!

Hope everyone is up to date on their "Bite Size Theology" study. I'm looking forward to tonight!

dogledanji!!

Frank's working late, so it must be TUESDAY!!!

What WILL I do with myself?

Frank works late.
Jameson is at his papa's.
Sally is housesitting and picking up an alien.
Debbie is buried in mounds of work.

Things I SHOULD do...
1. Clean up my bathroom. Yeah, it is pretty slimy looking and a bit furry too. Hey, but it IS small, so it only takes a few minutes to clean up!
2. Study for Wednesday night small group! YEAH - we are meeting and actually doing a study after a bizillion weeks of doing other things.
3. Get organized and prepare my clothes for this weekend trip thing. Ho hum.

Things I probably shoudn't do...
1. Play on the computer. Nope...eyesight is already a bit strained from working on the computer all day.
2. Peek over the fence, "kilroy was here" style and freak out the nervous dog or frighten the neighbors. Hmmm...has possibilitites.
3. Read. Oh I love to read. I really, really do! Reading is my most favorite past-time, time wasting, reality squashing, dreamy afternoon thingy to do! Definitely has possibilities. Oh, definitely. Definitely.

Wahoo...Tuesday Night...what WILL I do with myself?

dogledanji!!

Where is God when bad things happen?

I just read this really good article that addresses this question:Why does God allow bad things to happen?

Praise God! He is in control!

Back to Basix...

Okay Summer people...I have returned to a minimal blog design. After spending WAY too much time on vain pursuits...I've settled for this look.

Now, I have to figure out how to get back all my links, aimless verbosity and such.

Enjoyed BOGGLE last night! Always fun when Ms. Judy joins in the games! Me thinks we should endeavor to arrange a Boggle tournament.

Bill & Debbie safely returned to us! Praise God.

Congratulations to Michael on his official pursuit of matrimony! May God's will be done in all areas. It is wonderful to see a grin plastered on your face!

Have a great day in the Lord worshipping Him, adoring Him, devoting every thought to Him!

dogledanji!!

I TOLD you so!

Ah Sarah, would I ever, intentionally mislead you? I think not! Peruse for your short lesson on the history of "Anna heim".

This information can be found for further reading and some creepy pictures at OC Website.

Many people credit Walt Disney with putting Anaheim on the map by establishing Disneyland in 1955. But a group of German immigrants marked the city's first claim to fame more than 100 years ago with wine grapes.
Founded in 1857, the Anaheim colony was situated on 1,165 acres. Settlers voted to call the community Annaheim, the "anna" referring to the Santa Ana River and "heim" meaning home in German. The name later was changed slightly, to Anaheim.
According to "The Orange County Experience,' by Louis Reichman and Gary Cardinale, the community quickly grew into what was then the state's wine capital,
Within 10 years, the German colony had 47 wineries and scores of vineyards. Unfortunately, a rash of plant viruses in the 1880s killed off most of the grapes, and residents began growing oranges.
Farmers initially hired Yaqui Indians from Mexico to dig ditches, then brought in Chinese laborers to work the crops. The Chinese carved out their own community near what is now downtown Anaheim, and set up businesses as merchants, tailors, barbers and laundry operators, according to Her Pruett, Anaheim Museum director.
Anaheim was content with citrus crops until 1955, when the Santa Ana (I-5) Freeway and Disneyland opened. City leaders immediately invested in tourism.
Today, the city spans 46 square miles and has over 311,000 residents, making it the largest and most populated city in Orange County.

One wonders if all that alcohol might have started the slogan, "The happiest place on earth."

Can you believe we have 298,000 neighbors? No wonder I feel claustrophobic sometimes!

Perhaps we should grow grapes instead of morning glories on our back patio.

auf Wiedersehen!

A Lamp for My Feet

Psalm 119:105"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Ever wondered why the Psalmist wrote a “lamp to my feet”?

Last summer when we played captured the flag at midnight on the sand dunes of Pismo Beach, we used battery operated lanterns as the demarcation of the boundaries within which we could play and to signal where each team’s flag was located. Two things were distinct about that time of year: 1. Meteor showers were in abundance and 2. There was no moon. It was wonderfully dark! The lanterns did not provide much light to play by, just a weak beacon for point of reference. In fact, when you walked closer to the lanterns, they only revealed the area of about 1-2 feet at best. I was the “guard” of our team’s flag and held the lantern as we walked to our “secret” location to place our flag. When I held the lantern up high so everyone could see where we were walking, the lantern was very ineffective. However, when I held the lantern down closer to the ground, I could clearly see the ground for my next step.

God wants us to rely upon Him and His Word for our very next step! Are you doing this? Are you spending time in God’s Word discovering where God would lead you?

Proverbs 3:1-8 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.

Pro 3:6 - In all your ways acknowledge Him - Begin, continue, and end every work, purpose, and device, with God. Earnestly pray for His direction at the commencement; look for His continual support in the progress; and so begin and continue that all may terminate in His glory: and then it will certainly be to your good; for we never honor God, without serving ourselves [longer life with peace; find favor and a good reputation; straight paths; healing to our bodies and refreshment to our bones]. Self-sufficiency and self-dependence have been the ruin of mankind ever since the fall of Adam. The grand sin of the human race is their continual endeavor to live independently of God, i.e., to be without God in the world. True religion consists in considering God the fountain of all good, and expecting all good from him. (Clarke’s Commentary).

Proverbs 6:20-23 My son, observe the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life.

Though we may see only the very next step, we can rest assured God sees to the very end of our days. He already knows what rocky places loom ahead. He already knows what detours we need to take to avoid certain temptations, heartaches and sorrows. He is able and capable of guarding our steps. With Him and His Word as our guide in life, we are certain to be led in safety.

To whom or what are you turning for direction in your life? God is faithful to lead us in the right direction.

dogledanji!!

You have to wonder sometimes...

I think I found these at a "Strange but true" type website -
Actual Courtroom Statements
------------------------------------------------------
Q: What is your date of birth?
A: July fifteenth.
Q: What year?
A: Every year.
------------------------------------------------------
Q: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
A: Yes.
Q: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
A: I forget.
Q: You forget. Can you give us an example of something that
you've forgotten?
------------------------------------------------------
Q: What was the first thing your husband said to you when he
woke that morning?
A: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
Q: And why did that upset you?
A: My name is Susan.
------------------------------------------------------
Q: And where was the location of the accident?
A: Approximately milepost 499.
Q: And where is milepost 499?
A: Probably between milepost 498 and 500.
------------------------------------------------------
Q: Did you blow your horn or anything?
A: After the accident?
Q: Before the accident?
A: Sure, I played for ten years. I even went to school for it.
------------------------------------------------------
Q: Trooper, when you stopped the defendant, were your
red and blue lights flashing?
A: Yes.
Q: Did the defendant say anything when she got out of her car?
A: Yes, sir.
Q: What did she say?
A: What disco am I at?
------------------------------------------------------
Q: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
------------------------------------------------------
Q: The youngest son, the twenty-year old, how old is he?
------------------------------------------------------
Q: Were you present when your picture was taken?
------------------------------------------------------
Q: She had three children, right?
A: Yes.
Q: How many were boys?
A: None.
Q: Were there any girls?
------------------------------------------------------
Q: How was your first marriage terminated?
A: By death.
Q: And by whose death was it terminated?
------------------------------------------------------
Q: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a
deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
A: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
------------------------------------------------------
Q: Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people?
A: All my autopsies are performed on dead people.
------------------------------------------------------
Q: All your responses must be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
A: Oral.
------------------------------------------------------
Q: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
A: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
Q: And Mr. Dennington was dead at the time?
A: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was
doing an autopsy.
------------------------------------------------------
Q: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
------------------------------------------------------
Q: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for blood pressure?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for breathing?
A: No.
Q: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you
began the autopsy?
A: No.
Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
A: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
Q: But could the patient have still been alive nevertheless?
A: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and
practicing law somewhere.
------------------------------------------------------

I enjoyed the last one in particular. :)
Priceless!

dogledanji!!

Interesting Websites...etc.

Some interesting articles can be found at the following website: Townhall

Also, in my endless search for articles and comments on modesty, I came across Dennis Prager's two-part article on Why Young Women Are Exposing Themselves: Part One and Part Two.

He does a decent review of why women feel the need to expose so much skin. I specifically liked what he wrote at the end of his second article:

This leads to the sixth and final reason: women's naivete. It is doubtful that women have ever been as naive about men as are large numbers of contemporary educated women. I believe that my grandmother who never went to school understood men better than the average female college graduate today.

So, as a service to any woman who is confused by the difference between "cute" and provocative as regards women's clothing, this may help. What you often call cute or attractive, men see only as a sexual come-on. If you wish to dress for sex, you should be entirely free to do so. But if you want love and attention, you have to know the difference between dressing for sex and dressing to be cute and attractive. The more skin men see, the more they think sex, not love. And that includes guys your age, your male teachers, your clergyman, your mailman, and the old man next door.

I know many of you feel I keep pounding on the modesty issue. Were it NOT an issue, I would gladly pound on some other issue! Please, PLEASE, give me a reason to move my soapbox onto another platform.

As the June Gloom begins to fade here in So. California, the weather we are so famous for will prevail. Temperatures will hike and immodesty will be at an all time high. Again, I ask you to consider what you wear and why you are wearing it.

Is what you wear a reflection of God or a reflection of you? Is it more important to you what God thinks about what you are wearing than what other's think? Dress accordingly.

I love you!

dogledanji!!

Results of Almond M&M's

I couldn't help myself!!!
------------------------------------------------------------
Two antennas meet on a roof, fall in love and get married.
The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.
------------------------------------------------------------
Two hydrogen atoms walk into a bar.
One says, "I've lost my electron."
The other says, "Are you sure?"
The first replies, "Yes, I'm positive."
------------------------------------------------------------
A jumper cable walks into a bar.
The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."
------------------------------------------------------------
Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.
------------------------------------------------------------
Two cannibals are eating a clown.
One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"
------------------------------------------------------------
An invisible man marries an invisible woman.
The kids were nothing to look at either.
------------------------------------------------------------
I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.
------------------------------------------------------------
I went to a seafood disco last week... and pulled a mussel.
------------------------------------------------------------
Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly; but when they lit a fire in the craft, it sank, proving that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
------------------------------------------------------------
What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
------------------------------------------------------------
Sarah - "Doc, I can't stop singing 'What’s New Pussycat?’”
Doctor - "That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome."
Sarah - "Is it common?"
Doctor - "It's Not Unusual."
------------------------------------------------------------
The last one was my personal favorite.

dogledanji!

Chai Latte AND Almond M&M's

It is late in the afternoon and time for a Chai Latte break! Thankfully for me, Diedrichs is very accommodating and has a little coffee cart in the CHOC Cafeteria. So, on my way to get a Chai Latte, I stopped off at the gift shop and purchased some almond M&M's.

Did I mention I LOVE Almond M&M's???

What a great combo - Chai Latte and Almond M&M's! All is well. My world is at peace. Harmony reigns supreme.

Ahhh...if only the latte would never end!

dogledanji!!

Wonderful Weekend

Thank you, Frank for a wonderful weekend! I think the highlight of my weekend was when you pampered my feet! Hope it wasn't just a weekend feet fling! He EVEN painted my toenails for me. Wonderful, marvelous husband of mine! I love you.

So, I HIGHLY recommend staying at the Laguna Cliffs Resort in Dana Point, CA. Especially if you can get someone else to foot the bill ($300+ rooms per night!). However, I DON'T recommend ordering room service - way over-rated!

Welcome to summer my blogging friends! Tomorrow, June 21, 2004 is officially our wedding anniversary (or birthday of our wedding, nice Sarah). Our wedding day was the best day of my life! Thank you Frank...you STILL are the man of my dreams. And, if I had it to do all over again, I most definitely would and not change a thing (well, 'cept put disposable cameras on the table and ask someone to video tape the whole thing - but I ALREADY mentioned that...and it is so boring when people keep repeating mundane things...sorry.)

Sarah, Frank & Jameson are playing 3-way Halo. Frank mostly giggles. Sarah squeals and begs people not to kill her. Jameson is quite the Halo fiend. He keeps killing anyone that moves...he is no respector of Frank nor Sarah in this game! Sheesh!

Okay! Well. I must be off to bed (I am so thankful to sleep in my own bed again!).

I hope Bill & Debbie are having a wonderful, romantic, relaxing vacation!

g'nite.

dogledanji!!

P.S. Cherie...Settlers on Saturday night, June 26th???

Avoiding Idle Talk . . . Article on Gladys Aylward (~1904-1970)

Psalm 19:14 – “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” (NASB)

Avoiding Idle Talk

SHUN the gossip of men as much as possible, for discussion of worldly affairs, even though sincere, is a great distraction inasmuch as we are quickly ensnared and captivated by vanity.
Many a time I wish that I had held my peace and had not associated with men. Why, indeed, do we converse and gossip among ourselves when we so seldom part without a troubled conscience? We do so because we seek comfort from one another's conversation and wish to ease the mind wearied by diverse thoughts. Hence, we talk and think quite fondly of things we like very much or of things we dislike intensely. But, sad to say, we often talk vainly and to no purpose; for this external pleasure effectively bars inward and divine consolation.
Therefore we must watch and pray lest time pass idly.
When the right and opportune moment comes for speaking, say something that will edify.
Bad habits and indifference to spiritual progress do much to remove the guard from the tongue. Devout conversation on spiritual matters, on the contrary, is a great aid to spiritual progress, especially when persons of the same mind and spirit associate together in God.

From The Imitation of Christ by Thomas, à Kempis, 1380-1471

I am convicted by comments I made last night. I do not want to be known as a person who speaks ill of others, an idle gossip or a critical spirit. I want to be known as a woman who honors Christ is all she says and does. I was wrong for speaking poorly about Frank’s mother last night and I need to ask forgiveness of those who heard me. I was disrespectful, a poor example and dishonoring to Frank (and his mother). Earlier in the evening, I had a conversation about this very thing and fell victim to it! How terribly the tongue can be. And, it only reflects what is in the heart. Pray for me that I will be more careful to reflect Christ and not myself. Praise God for giving us Jesus Christ. Praise Him for satisfying the debt I could never pay. Thank you God for reminding me of how much I need You and am nothing without You.

This morning, I heard Alistair Begg mention this lady in his message. The point of his message is that God uses us in our weaknesses (2 Cor 12:8-10). The following article doesn’t cover the one point he made…this woman was known by the Chinese as The Little Woman. Apparently, she was just 5 feet tall and had straight, jet-black hair. In wanting to go to China, she approached a Mission Board. They evaluated her and found her too small, too weak (not "robust") and not fit for their board. She regarded God’s call in her life more important than the assessment of men. Read her story. It will challenge you. It did me!
Gladys Aylward, Missionary to China
Circa 1904 – 3 January 1970

May you seek God's will above your own...in all things.

dogledanji!

Congratulations!

Congrats to Sarah and Cherie for graduating from Junior High School!

I have yet to see either of them and officially offer my heaps of praise...so this will have to do for the time being.

Officially, you are entering the domain of high school-dom. If one is inclined to seek advice on such entry and wanting in reading such advice, please continue reading. If not, no worries - just another mark of a fledgling high schooler! :)

Tips and things to ponder over the summer for succeeding in High School

1. Remember, this is ONLY 4 years of your life. It is NOT the rest of your life.
2. Grades are important if you plan to go on to college (which I suspect both of you do).
3. High School guys have no clue how to behave, much less how to participate in a meaningful dating relationship (okay, there might be 1 or 2 exceptions...but I think they already graduated). Consider them generally brain dead.
4. Don't sweat how you look, you'll change drastically by the time you're 18...then 21...then 25...then 30...(do people really live past 30??)...then 41 (I can go no further as I can only testify up to 41 years of age...but I suspect you continue to change beyond that).
5. Your mother is not the enemy. And, your parents DO know best.
6. Pay attention to who the geeky, brainy, computer nerds are - they tend to be successful and better looking after college graduation!
7. Popularity is over-rated and riddled with compromises, heartache and some very lonely moments. Really.
8. Sit as close to the front of the room in every class. You'll be less distracted by the goofballs behind you and be able to hear all the little comments your teacher makes under his/her breath (but, must develop the skill of smiling knowingly and not laughing out loud).
9. Figure out if you are a morning person or an afternoon person. Morning people need to schedule all their harder subjects before lunch and vice versa for the afternoon people. NEVER schedule Geometry, Calculus or Trigonometry right after lunch. Trust me.
10. Dances, while highly entertaining for the anthropologists, are more pomp than circumstance. Try to go with your best friend and forgive her when she abandons you to go with that acne-faced humanoid. Don't limit yourself to the guys in your school. Consider buddying up with a guy from your Youth Group. Always wear comfortable shoes.
11. Practice your locker combination until you have it down. Remember, your locker is supposed to be a place for your books. Therefore, make sure you have enough room to store them there.
12. Purpose now NOT to care about the P.E. uniforms. Consider them an exercise in humility.
13. Developing excellent typing, grammar and composition skills pays off in college and beyond. Literally PAYS off. I used to net $3-5 a page in typing or proofreading reports and term papers. NEVER write a paper for anyone.
14. Never agree to be in a study group with students who do not carry the same GPA as you. That sports jock or popular-cute guy is asking you to use your brain...no other reason!
15. Develop good time management skills. Learn to prioritize your time...getting the hardest and unlikeable tasks out of the way first.
16. Set your standards now for who you will chose for friends, who you'll date and what kind of activities you will attend. Base your standards on Biblical principles. Submit to your parents' direction and wisdom.
17. Stay involved in an active Youth Group which challenges you to grow in your relationship with Christ.
18. Attend as many football games as you can (even if you don't like football). If your parents enjoy football, invite them along. Some of my best memories involved a Friday-night game with my dad.
19. If you can, plan to take one class a semester/quarter outside of your core courses that will stretch you and provide a bit of mental vacation.
20. Find out how to get on the yearbook committee, school newspaper or student government. Then go for it!
21. Don't be a slave to fashion. Dress sensibly, comfortably and modestly.
22. Begin now to pray for opportunities to share Christ with other students.
23. Don't take yourself too seriously. Learn to laugh more and criticize less.
24. Learn to smile.
25. Care more about what God thinks and reflect that in everything you do and say.

More than anything, fall in love with God. And remember, this is only High School. It is a small window of time in the over-all future God has planned for you!

Congratulations ladies!

dogledanji!!

Aseity - An attribute of God (warning - doctrine ahead)!

Last night I was working with Sally on translating some more studies from German into English. We were finishing up a study on prayer and why it is important for the Christian life. I then remarked how amazing it is God doesn’t “need” us for anything. He is self-satisfied or self-pleased. But, He desires a relationship with us – which is amazing! He is complete within Himself and chooses to pursue us in a right relationship with Him. Part of that relationship is realized in prayer.

So, scroll past the next few things if you don’t really want to learn a cool point of doctrine and definition for this particular attribute of God. I love learning new things, especially when it is about God!

All of the following I got from this site: Monergism

Definition of Aseity- God is self-existent, God has always been. Literal: From Latin aseite, of oneself. Theologically: the self-existence of God an independent existence.

”God’s self existence is basic truth. At the outset of his presentation of the unknown God to the Athenian idolaters, Paul explained that this God, the world’s Creator, “is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:23-25). Sacrifices offered to idols, in today’s tribal religions, as in ancient Athens, are thought of as somehow keeping the god going, but the Creator (the I AM) needs no such support system. The word aseity, meaning that he has life in himself and draws his unending energy from Himself (a se in Latin means “from himself”), was coined by theologians to express this truth, which the Bible makes clear.” (Packer, J.I., 26-27)

Biblical basis for Aseity - Gen 1:1; Psa. 90:2; John 1:1-3; John 8:58; Exodus 3:14; Acts 17:25; Rom. 11:36; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3; Heb. 2:10; Rev 1:8; Rev. 4:11.

Why is God’s Aseity an important attribute of God for us to know?

“In theology, endless mistakes result from supposing that the conditions, bounds, and limits of our finite existence apply to God. The doctrine of His aseity stands as a bulwark against such mistakes. In our life of faith, we easily impoverish ourselves by embracing an idea of God that is too limited and small, and again the doctrine of God’s aseity stands as a bulwark to stop this happening. It is vital for spiritual health to believe that God is great (Ps. 95:1-7), and grasping the truth of God’s aseity is the first step on the road to doing this.” (Packer, 27)

Our Response to the Aseity of God: A sense of complete awe, a sense of utter dependence, a sense of deepest humility and a sense of ultimate gratitude

Have you spent time alone with God in prayer today? Stop what you are doing right now…go away (into your closet if need be..) and get alone with God. The Creator of the universe, the very One who ordains your next step, the very One Who sustains and holds together our being, loves you and desires an intimate relationship with you. Amazing!

I love you, God! You are beyond the ability for my finite mind to grasp! Thank You for loving me and calling me to You!

doglegangi!!

I forgot to mention!

Did I mention...

I just LOVE secrets! Don't you?

I feel like a giddy little school girl.

Hogs & Quiches!

Time for a change....

Hope y'all like my new look. Summer is almost upon us, so it was time for a change!

June 21st is our Anniversary
Have I ever mentioned how wonderful of a husband Frank is? He laughs with me (mostly at me). He indulges all my sillyness. He is incredibly patient with me. He is incredibly intelligent and still makes me feel smart. He actively listens to me. He is incredibly good looking! Viewing the world though his eyes is always an adventure and challenge. He STILL is the man of my dreams.

June 27th is Bill & Debbie's 30th Wedding Anniversary
Wow! Congratulations you two. I hope you have a wonderful time "getting away". You know, and they don't look a day over 29!

Congratulations to Sarah
Good job Sarah on the awards! So, does practicing for Graduation really help?

Psychological help for Cherie
Knowing how much you all care for the mental well-being of youthful folk...I will be establishing a trust to finance the help Cherie will need to offset the costs associated with counseling her as she eventually wakes up from her delusional state of mind. To donate to this fund, make checks payable to "Cherie has YET to win a game of Settlers" and mail them in care of me. I'll take care of the rest. There is bliss in a deluded state of mind. Yet, when the clouds dissipate, the truth can be very ugly. Poor, poor Cherie.

Let us have a few moments of supportive silence for this worthy cause.

moment one, one-thousand

moment two, one-thousand

moment three, one-thousand

moment four, one-thousand

moment five, one-thousand

No comment on the Lakers. I believe Elvis has left the building.

dogledanji!!

Hair. . .

Why is it that everyone likes my hair shorter? (And, I like it longer?) It must be a growing up thing. Perhaps I am trying to hang on to my 80's youthfulness with the long hair thing. Hmm...will have to ponder that one. Oh, okay, I'm over that. Frank likes it...that is all that matters!

Today was a fantabulous day! Parts of it were rather odd, but the rest was superb.

God IS faithful! He DOES answer prayer! He is worthy of our praise!

However, I am tired (even though I DID get a nap too). Some weird ritual of staying up until 2:30 a.m. waiting for a tall lost boy-man to come home is not on my top ten list of things I want to ever do again.

Ahem, Matt is super nice. Gotta go on record to say that! I approve of your choice Ms. Jenna.

Speaking of my top ten things I would like to do again...

(drum roll please...)

10. Relive my wedding day and remember to put disposable cameras on the tables and get someone to officially videotape the event.
9. Go to Maui with Frank, Bill & Debbie (okay, Jameson and...hmmm...whomever he chooses can come too).
8. Road trip Christmas in San Francisco with Frank & Jameson and reading LOTR in the truck to them.
7. Wait all day in line with Sarah for the mid-night showing of LOTR: ROTK and offer free advice.
6. 4th of July at the Hollywood Bowl (closely tied with celebrating Tuesday with Chocolate cake)!
5. Road trip to Pismo Beach with the Kangaroo Milking storytellers.
4. Sit with Bethany in my car and enjoy a special story.
3. After a hard day of working in the yard, relax with Frank in the chairs in the front yard.
2. Capture the flag at midnight on the Pismo Dunes, giggling at Frank and yelling for Nate, Jenna and Justin.
1. Summer jazz concert at Thorton Winery in Temecula, Loma Linda Bed & Breakfast, and 1/2 price appetizers (the baked brie in honey & toasted walnuts with baguettes) with Frank.

Yes, today was definitely at good day!
Thank you God for this good day.

dogledanji!!!

P.S. Did I MENTION I LOVE secrets!!!??? ;op

New family additions...

Not that 3 cats, 1 dog and 2 fish were enough! We now have 4 more fish and a larger tank!

In addition to Frick and Frack, we now have Kirby, Ruby, Buschi (short for Steve Buscemi-as there is a likeness, a.k.a., Crazy Eyes in Mr. Deeds) and Flo (yes, Nemo's Flo).

Kirby (formerly, "Hoover") is our janitor of the tank (a pocasthmus sp?). Ruby is an orange & white goldfish type fishy and Buschi and Flo are black and red bulgy eyed goldfishy type fish. Frack seemd a bit nervous when we first put him in the tank...but now, he is swimming happily amongst the lost ruins of Atlantis.

I hope Sarah is not too traumatized from her experience with us. She had to hold Kirby, Ruby, Buschi and Flo on the ride home from the pet store. Frank drove, so you can imagine the state of well-being of our new fish friends. They were sloshing and hitting Sarah's lap..making her squeal and me giggle. Sorry, it WAS funny!

So, part of the reason we got a larger tank is that Val was drinking the water from the fish tank and I could not bear to come home and find Frick or Frack no longer happily swimming and Val with a satisfied grin on her kitty face!

Allie, however, likes the new tank. She may become our official outside tank window cleaner. She is patting at the fish and quite entertaining to watch.

So, I wonder if fish do dream? And if so, is it politically correct to bid them champagne wishes and caviar dreams??? That made Frank giggle. He.he.he...

By the way, did I mention I LOVE secrets!!!

dogledanji!

Joy!

We now have DSL!!! Joy! No more human antenna.

And, I STILL love secrets.

Last night Jameson graduated and it was quite the experience. He did well (as did all his class). Still wondering why the principal, Mrs. Coleman, referred to him as the "bad boy." Will have to investigate that one.

So, we have made a compromise and Jameson will be coming to Pismo Beach! Yeah! Albeit, he will be arriving a day or two later. I am thankful this worked out in the larger scheme of things.

Okay, have major sinus headache...must go lie down and let the medicine do its thing.

Looking forward to SETTLERS with The Neighbor and 5-foot nothing cyber friend!

Goodbye President Reagan. You were the first president I was eligible to vote for (and did). I hope you did know Christ as your Lord and Savior.

dogledanji!!!

I LOVE Secrets!!!

Caveat - I really do love secrets!!! But, only whey they are good, not devious or harmful, and when they are to surprise someone special. Sheesh! In writing this, am I giving away a secret??? Me thinks not!

(Sing song tone...) I love secrets! I love secrets! I love secrets!

He.he.he...giggle...giggle...giggle.

Okay, on a more serious note: please pray for my mom & dad as they are going to the doctor today to discuss operating on my mom's back. Her sciatic nerve is pinched and giving her a lot of pain. Please pray for wisdom and God's will be done.

God is so good! Praise God for his grace, mercy, faithfulness and love!

Have a GREAT day in the Lord!

dogledanji!!!

Basketball, etc.

Basketball...
Wow! I am not really an avid Basketball fan...in fact, you might call me a casual fan. Meaning, I only watch basketball when others in the household are hogging the television and refuse to change the channel. Football is more my sport, if you are really curious. And, my favorite sport? Sunset watching. Do not scoff! Your eyes really have to be in good shape, your timing has to be just right and location is everything!

But, was not Kobe Bryant incredible last night? I mean, with 2 seconds left on the clock and he shoots a 3 pointer! Even I was amazed! I suspect we owe a bit of thanks to the gentleman who was not really guarding Kobe like he was suppose to (I wonder if he was secretly a Lakers' fan???). I amaze even myself with knowing this much information about a sport that is relatively obscure to me.

Visit to the Gym...
So last night, Jameson talked me into going to the gym with him. All I can say today is ouch. It is a good kinda ouch as I know I must've worked some muscles that I didn't even know existed upon my person. Wahoo...I am on my way to being able to run those sandy dunes with the best of you! Speaking of which....

Pismo Beach...
I am really excited about our trip this year! And, I am equally disappointed over the ones who didn't get their applications in on time. But, I am despondant over a certain young man who may not be going due to a conflict with a family reunion-type vacation thingy planned! Very sad. But, that is all I will say. I will NOT try to manipulate his decision any further (though I really could if I tried!).

dogledanji!!

How we live . . .

Paul describes how Christians are to live in Colossians 3. As I reflect on this passage, I have to ask myself, are these things seen in my life and relationship with Christ?

…keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God
…Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth
- While I’m washing dishes, getting ready in the morning, going on a date, walking into church, talking to my friends, going clothes shopping - my mind is supposed to be on Christ.
…put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
- malice – planning in such a way as to bring about harm or hurt to another person; slander – gossip, telling lies about someone as if it were truth; abusive speech – cursing, making fun of a person, harming another with your words.
…do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him
- I won’t lie about anything to anyone.
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved:
…put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience
- can how you treat others: your friends, your parents, those in authority over you, your enemies, your siblings, significant others, complete strangers; be characterized by these qualities? More importantly, when you think about them, do you think about them in a way that reflects these characteristics?
…bearing with one another
- when someone shares a problem with you, do you agree to pray for them, hold them accountable and follow-up on how they are doing? Or, when they walk away, do you forget about it 1-5 minutes later?
…forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone
- not only when forgiveness is asked, but when forgiveness is not asked.
…just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you
- how did the Lord forgive us? Completely.
Beyond all these things
…put on love
- do you reflect love? You are to “put on love”. Does your face wear love? When people look at you, do they see love? Or, are they distracted by what they see? The fruit of the Spirit is love.
…let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body
…be thankful
- When something bad happens to me, when my parents say “no,” when I don’t get my way, when I have to watch my little brother instead of doing something with my friends, when he or she breaks up with me, when there’s no money, when God says “no” - I’m to be thankful.
…let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom:
…teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
…singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God
- The Word of God (Bible verses) is to take up residence inside of my mind and heart.
- I will encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ with words, songs, hymns, and spiritual songs. Unlike what the WB is doing with Superstar or American Idol for that matter. Ouch. Or, “hey, listen to this new song by Coldplay, it will really encourage your walk with Christ…” or not.
Whatever you do in word or deed
…do all in the name of the Lord Jesus
- Whatever I do, should bear the name of the Lord Jesus on it. Hmm…”this report, homework assignment, application, letter, email, blog was done under the name of Jesus by me.”
…giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Whatever you do
…do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men
- My job, my chores, my homework and what I am asked to do that is not on my job description, list of chores, etc., is to be done with enthusiastic gusto as if the Lord, Himself, has asked me to do it for Him. So, does that look like, “Sure Lord, I’ll gladly take out this garbage bag for You,” and I’ll do it with great enthusiasm in my heart as if I’d rather not be doing anything else!
It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
- I should care more about what Christ thinks about me and what I’m doing, rather than my friends, my family, my Youth Leaders, my girlfriend, my boyfriend, my best friend, my world. Why? Because I serve Jesus Christ. Not fashion, not popularity, not “fitting in”, not people’s opinions of me, not what everyone else is doing, not money, not success, not any one thing or person…only Jesus Christ.

Wow. May this be true of Christians, everywhere. And, may it begin with me.

Wahoo! Cyber Buddy is 5 Feet Tall!

It is time for celebration!

Strike up the band! Shower the confetti!

Cherie is no longer 4 foot nothing! She is 5 Feet Tall!

Hey! Give me a break! We have to celebrate something. It certainly won't be the Lakers winning last night - as THEY DID NOT! So, arriving at a stature of 5 feet is a great celebration in my book!

I say it calls for a rousing game of Settlers! I am thinking Saturday evening around 5 p.m. is a sufficient start time for a game or two!

Consider yourself invited (Cherie & Sarah). The favor of a reply would be greatly appreciated.

dogledanji!!

hmmm...do I remember when I was a mere 5 feet tall? I think I was born 5 feet tall!

Faithfulness

"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens."
J. R. R. Tolkien

1 Thess. 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Praise God for His faithfulness to us, His children!

A Fixed Race

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary has this to say about this passage: “The persevering obedience of faith in Christ, was the race set before the Hebrews, wherein they must either win the crown of glory, or have everlasting misery for their portion; and it is set before us. By the sin that does so easily beset us, understand that [to be the] sin to which we are most prone, or to which we are most exposed, from habit, age, or circumstances. This is a most important exhortation; for while a man's darling sin, be it what it will, remains unsubdued, it will hinder him from running the Christian race, as it takes from him every motive for running, and gives power to every discouragement.”

How is your race going? Whatever you are focusing or hanging on to right now is either pushing you toward Christ or pulling you down, causing you to stumble and fall.

You are either running to Christ or away from Him. Are you tired? Are you discouraged? Are you lonely? Are you restless? Stop running on your own strength, in your own direction. Turn around and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

Titus 3:3-8 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

Have a great weekend racing toward Jesus!

dogledanji!!

Painting by Numbers

My sister is gifted with what is called, natural talent, in the painting/drawing arena. Growing up, she could sneeze and a beautiful horse would magically appear on a piece of paper! Like most young girls, my sister and I had a fascination with horses. We couldn’t own any, so she opted for drawing them. We had herds and herds of beautiful Paints, Palominos, Arabians, Mustangs and Quarter horses! On paper anyway.

I, on the other hand, am not “naturally” gifted. I had herds of stick figure ponies trotting alongside my sister’s majestic, graceful horses. One day, I discovered a paint-by-numbers kit of a beautiful black stallion rearing back with its hooves pawing the sky! I had visions of proudly displaying my horse next to my sister’s and giving her a fair run for her money in the art department.

Well, the really important thing about paint by number kits is that you HAVE to follow the color codes assigned to each number. There are some really good reasons why certain numbers have lighter browns and other numbers have greens, yellows and all hues in-between.

Have you ever studied good artwork? Shadow tends to play an important role in bringing the picture to life. Most of the horses my sister painted looked almost real…like they could leap off the page and gallop into the sunset. My sister had mastered the skill of depth perception and aspect ratio. She understood the need for shadows and perspective.

Needless to say, my horse looked more like a freak Picassos on a really bad day. I didn’t follow the directions and I chose to favor the colors I liked, not what the color-coding instructed. I threw the mangled horse in the trash and brooded the rest of the day. My sister came along and salvaged my horse from the trash. With her skillful abilities, she was able to paint over my mistakes and bring the true horse out in the picture.

Too often, we try to use our own color scheme in life. Instead of following God’s Word and living according to the plan He laid out for us, we believe we can do our own thing. Going our own way, we end up believing a lie and tragically end up in a place we never intended to go! Sin is like that. It takes us “farther than we want to go, costs more than we plan to pay and makes us stay longer than we intend to stay.”

Isa 55:8-11 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Pro 3:1-7 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
Other verses on this subject: Proverbs 12:15; 14:12-16 and 16:25.
Phi 3:18-19 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

God’s plan for each of us is perfect. His standards provide a net of safety to keep us from sin and its consequences. You and I need to be in God’s Word. We need to depend on it more than our own thoughts, understandings or pursuits. God’s Word is the perfect color code to guide us and conform us into a beautiful masterpiece reflecting Christ. When we goof up and sin, we mess up the picture. However, we can repent and confess our sin. God is faithful to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). He can restore the masterpiece He is making of our lives to the image He has planned: Jesus Christ. Even now, He is reaching into the garbage bin ready to clean up the mess we’ve made. Will you repent? Will you confess your sin?

Your way is destruction-death. God’s way is life-abundant life, everlasting.

dogledanji!

In Memory of "Jack" - 5/27/04 - 5/31/04

In loving memory of “Jack”. I wish Jack were a rabbit, cause I’d run right out and find this miracle product. For those of you not in the know, “Jack” was a beautiful, ruby-red beta fish. He was purchased from PetCo on Thursday, May 27, 2004. On Sunday, May 30, 2004, when Frank and I visited the office to feed “Jack” he was joyfully swimming around his “lucky” bamboo roots and stems. Today, June 1, 2004, the following note greeted me in front of Jack’s home:

To all,
Although my stay was not long
I know open waters I do belong
So Nemo let em tag-a-long
Jack

I am in mourning today. I am told he was found caught in the roots of the “un-lucky” bamboo plant. Apparently, he died from lack of oxygen. Poor, dead Jack.

Thankfully, Judy Jones emailed me the following story. It brought a brief respite to my mourning, and caused a smile to erupt on my otherwise maudlin appearance.

I just LOVE these kinds of stories! Thanks Judy!

A man is driving along a highway and sees a rabbit jump out across the middle of the road. He swerves to avoid hitting it, but unfortunately the rabbit jumps right in front of the car.

The driver, a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulls over and gets out to see what has become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit is dead.

The driver feels so awful that he begins to cry. A beautiful blonde woman driving down the highway (in a Z28) sees the man on the road and pulls over. She steps out of the car and asks the man what's wrong.

"I feel terrible," he explains "I accidentally hit this rabbit and killed it."

The blonde says, "Don't worry."

She runs to her car and pulls out a spray can. She walks over to the limp, dead rabbit, bends down, and sprays the contents onto the rabbit.

The rabbit jumps up, waves its paw at the two of them and hops off down the road.

Ten feet away the rabbit stops, turns around and waves again, he hops down the road another ten feet, turns and waves, hops another ten feet, turns and waves, and repeats this again and again and again, until he hops out of sight.

The man is astonished. He runs over to the woman and demands, "What is in that can? What did you spray on that rabbit?"

The blonde woman turns the can around so that the man can read the label.

It says ...................

(Are you ready for this?)
(You know you're gonna be sorry)
It says, Hair Spray Restores life to dead hair, adds permanent wave.

Goodbye Jack.

dogledanji!