Oopsy...

So tonight I realized that I have a very serious road rage issue. Well, I already knew I did. Not a serious one like I pack heat and wave my gun at you if you cut me off. But rather I do scream and yell mostly to myself if foolish things are being done by the vehicles around me, or if they are not going fast enough, or if they aren't doing things quite like I would like them to be done... Look people, I said I knew I had a problem, so back off! 

So long story short tonight I ran to grab dinner for the fam. I got some extra food, and realized why when I saw a homeless kid crossing the street. I called out to him and asked if he wanted dinner, he said yes, and came to my car window to get it. As I was digging through the bag to grab him a sandwich (which took a total of 6.9 seconds) I hear someone lay on their horn. I immediately go into full blown road rage. Yes, I am in the middle of helping a hungry young man who has no home, and I snap and have the urge to flip off the honking truck in front of me and tell him that he is an a-hole and to calm down...As I look up on the verge of doing the above, I see that the honking gentleman is giving me the 'thumbs up' as he sees me helping this kid.

Whoops...

Not exactly what the hands of Jesus should look like, huh?!

Everyday I do pray that I will be what He needs me to be, for who He needs me to be. I pray to be an answer to peoples prayers. An instrument in His hands...

And there I go, ready to flip out on a honking truck, who was only offering a kind gesture. The only thing that stopped me from the instant bird and profanity...the face of a homeless kid at my window...

Heavenly Father really has to use powerful visual aids to help me 'get it' at times. As I lay here tonight, I really wonder how I can exist in my own body at times. I have good intentions, and I do try, but then there is the part of me that is naughty and so unbridled at times. And so I just look Heavenward and say, "God, I am a mess, but I am your mess! Use me as you need me. And p.s. Sorry about today. Oopsy"

CHRISTmas...

I absolutely love Christmas. And I am so thankful for it. Don't get me wrong, I can't stand the commercial aspect of it. I loathe the shopping and the craziness that it brings out in people. What I love is the spirit that comes along with the true meaning of it all. There is something magical that happens to a lot of people between Thanksgiving and December...they begin to look outside of themselves in a way that don't tend to throughout the rest of the year. The needs of others are noticed, and taken care of. It is tender and special. It's the way that God intended it to be all the time. We are meant to care for and take care of one another. And there was no better example of that than Jesus.

I am so thankful for the gift of Jesus...

I am thankful that two thousand years ago God sent His Son into this world for us...

He lived for us, He died for us, and He continues to care for us...

I can't imagine what that night in Bethlehem was like. The star. The stable. Mary. Joseph. Seeing Him in the manger. The Wisemen. It's all incomprehensible...

And I can't imagine what it will be like when He comes again. The greatness. The glory. The Majesty. The joy. The peace. It too is incomprehensible...

But I look forward to that day as they did the day of His birth. He came, and He will surely come again...

Zapping South of the Border...

 I HATE to shave. Absolutely hate it. So I wax a lot. I don't care for that much either, but it does a better job for longer. So awhile back I bought a Groupon for laser hair removal and have loved it. And now I buy them whenever they come up and plan to zap every hair producing part of my body.

Today was one I was somewhat anxious about...I was going South of the border if you will...the 'Australian Outback' and the lower legs were getting done. And guess what...it was not bad at all. It was a total breeze! The back of my neck is more painful zap for zap compared to what I had done today...

Here are my two new besties that preformed the 'procedure'...Success! And yes please I am rockin' the MooMoo as it is Friday and I was all about being comfortable. I also have on a new pair of boots that are the greatest things ever!

It's an early Christmas miracle on 69th Street that I lived to tell about this. And I would like to give a special shout-out thank you to all you who have been so kind and concerned and sent your well wishes to Nicole. She really appreciates all of the support...as well as a special thanks to Dr. Nic for the Lidocaine!

Tis The Season with World Vision

 It's December 1st, and everyone is now thinking about Christmas and shopping and gift giving. I just wanted to toss the following out there as a possible option for people this year...

So many of us have so much and want for nothing, while there are so many out in the world who have so little and want for the simplest of necessities. World Vision is an incredible organization that helps offer these necessities to needy families and individuals. It is the group that I sponsored a little boy named Festus through. (click here to see the blog post on him...)

As I have talked with some of my friends, we have decided that instead of exchanging gifts for Christmas this year, we are going to make donations to World Vision and give a gift that will really matter.

Below are just a few of the many options and ways that you can give and make a difference for a fairly small cost...

2 Chickens...$25 (Chickens are used as food and fresh eggs. They can be eaten to sustain the family, or sold so that they might purchase clothes, medicine, or other needs. Chickens are easy to breed, so this gift will multiply and can benefit an entire village.)

3 Ducks...$18 (Ducks are also used for providing food. They are especially beneficial to those living in Bangladesh as many times their chickens are killed because of the torrential rains.)

1 Rabbit...$16 (Rabbits reproduce rapidly and offer a great way to feed hungry children.)

5 Fruit Trees...$30

Fast Growing (drought resistant) Seeds for 1 Family... $17

$385 Worth of Medicine...$35

Bed Nets For 1 Family...$18 (Mosquitoes kill nearly 800,000 people a year. These nets are one of the best ways to help protect children from Malaria.)

$385 Worth of New Clothing...$35

2 Soccer Balls...$16

Though the above are for children in other countries, you can also help children here within the United States...

(Due to corporate sponsorships, the gift you give will be multiplied...)

$150 worth of Urgently needed clothing and other necessities...$25

$150 worth of School Supplies...$25

To check out their online livestock and gift giving catalog click here...

To learn more about sponsoring a child click here...http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/pages/sponsorship-redirect?Open

Shannon Lingo

So some of my gentlemen friends and I came up with what I believe to be an ingenious plan entitled, Operation Shannon Lingo. What is this you may ask? Well allow me to explain...

Have you seen the movie Johnny Lingo? It is a little gem that was originally made in like the 60's and remade more recently in 2003, I believe. It is the story of a guy named Johnny and a gal named Mahana...blah blah blah...she has a dowry...most blokes in the town aren't interested...Johnny thinks she is the greatest ever...blah blah blah...He pays an 8 cow dowry for her...they live happily ever after...RaRaRa Amen. Okay, so yes, this is the condensed version but you get the picture.

Here is a picture of the happy couple...

How does this movie/story apply? Does it even apply? Yes it does. Well kind of.

Anyway, here is the plan...The search is on to get me hitched. It is up to you to go out and find a suitable match for me, and if you are successful, you will receive a dowry of sorts. My Ma says anything to get me out of the door, and the prize is yours! You will be the proud new owner of 8 new cows! You can fill in that blank with a reasonable request. The common theme has become household appliances. One guy is searching for a mate for me because he is in need of a new refrigerator. Another lady has her eye out for a suitable match to hook me up with because her stove is on the fritz. So there you have it...Find me the man of my dreams, and your household appliance of your dreams shall be yours! It's a win-win situation. (all dowry requests must be pre-approved, as will husbandry requests...)

As for what I am looking for in the future Mr., the majority of you know me well enough, that I trust your best judgement. One thing that is a non-negotiable is a 'Golden Ticket'...he must have a Temple recommend, as if this thing is gonna work out, that is where it is gonna have to end. Another non-negotiable is that he cannot be a New England Patriots or a San Diego Chargers fan... (Sorry, there are just some things that I am not willing to settle on, and these two non-negotiables are some of them!)

So who is in? On your mark, get set, GO!...

Black Friday Funfest

Black Friday is always a spectator's delight. Getting up at unsightly hours to go stand outside of a store for hours as you freeze your bits and pieces off waiting for the doors to open so you can stampede like a bunch of Pamplona running bulls all in the hopes of getting 1 of the total of 4 flat screen television sets they have at a $369 savings...

Craziness. Absolute craziness.

Have I been among the deal seeking crowds before? Yes please I have. Would I do it again? Maybe. But I as mentioned before, it is the spectating that I enjoy most. It was sheer entertainment one year as we waited in line at JoAnn's Fabric Store...women began ramming each other with carts! Yes, full grown women battery ramming each other with shopping carts as they fought over fleece and flannel!

But this year a story hit the news that totally tops the fabric store escapade...

A woman at a California WalMart decided to pepper spray other shoppers that were going after the item she wanted. The claimed item...an Xbox. Yep, this crazy pants decided to go all Reno 911 on her fellow shoppers and mace them to keep them at bay. There were a handful that were treated for the pepper spray and some others with cuts or bruises from the chaos that ensued.

(I will admit that had I ventured out today, I was prepared to go with spray bottles containing some essential oils that are for calming, so that I could spritz a fellow shopper if needed...but never would I pepper spray someone...)

I didn't end up venturing out this year. All of the deals I wanted were available online. Paying the shipping was well worth being able to sleep in and the only crazy people I had to deal with were the ones that dwell inside my home.

Such insanity. Is a good deal really worth it? Maybe?... (And if I do decide to head out next year one thing is for certain, I'm going to make sure that I'm wearing shop goggles and a Hazmat suit. You know, just in case...)

Hey kids, forget putting on your Sunday best to go to Sears...Put on your Hazmat suits, we're going to WalMart!

So Much To Be Thankful For...

I am blessed. Truly blessed. Every day God grants me blessings and tender mercies that I am most times undeserving of. His goodness and love and provision for me, humbles me beyond words.

I can't begin to list all of the things I am thankful for. Many of them you will probably find scattered among the pages of this blog...family, friends, my faith, the good times as well as the tough. For I am a culmination of all of these things. Each has made me better, wiser, and stronger...

And sometimes the things we are thankful for, took some time... The difficulties that we faced and endured were certainly not looked at as bright, shiny, blessings at the time. But as we made it a bit further down the road, we were and are able to look back and see the hand of God, and the good that came from it. It is times such as these, that I am thankful that our Father in Heaven loves us enough to give us what we need rather than what we want.

Blessings. They are all around us. They take on the many forms...the sun rising each morning, offering the hope of a new day...the embrace of a loved one...the encouraging words of a friend...the laughter of a child...the beauty of a sunset...

Each is a blessing. 

Don't let them go unnoticed. 

Enjoy them. 

Embrace them. 

Offer thanks for them.

Amigas

I've been thinking a lot lately about friendship...

I am so thankful for the dear friends that God has seen fit to bless my life with. They are absolute treasures to me. The older we get, I think we begin to realize what a rarity it is to have a true friend, let alone more than one. True friendship is something that is to be treated with care, held dear to the heart, and shouldn't be taken for granted.

The following thought by Marjorie Hinckley is a favorite of mine:

"We are all in this together. We need each other...It is a sociological fact that women need women. We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other. These friendships are a necessary source of sustenance. We need to renew our faith every day. We need to lock arms and help build the kingdom so that it will roll forth and fill the whole earth...Let us "watch with one another...that we may all sit down in heaven together.""

There are so many out there who are lonely and would give anything to have a friend, someone to listen to them, and to care about them. Let us seek them out. Let's make a commitment to be a friend to the friendless, and better friends to those who are already our friends. We have been given the gift of one another...so let us love, and lift, and pray for one another...and as we stand together, arm in arm, we will be able to make it through whatever this life throws at us.

B-I-N-G-O

Tonight I went to play Bingo. Not just any Bingo. It was for charity, and was lead by a group of delightful drag queens...

Me and the Queens!

My fave is the delight with the light up Christmas tree/light up star boobs. So envious! He was lovin' my MooMoo and I told him I'd trade him straight across for his rack...

A Table Divided...

Tebow vs Cromartie 

(This picture was taken right before the game started to get ugly, hence the fact that I still have a smile on my face. Shortly after the photo op, began the table pounding, yelling, and real lady like behavior...)

It's Thursday. You know what that means, Thursday Night Football! Which also means throwing on some athletic supporting attire and heading to a local sports bar with the girls to watch the game.

Tonight we were split...half were cheering for the Jets...half were cheering for the Broncos. I was cheering loudly for my Jets as this game was a necessary one for them to win. Sadly, they didn't come through. All I can say is, damn Donkeys!

A Refuge From The World

As I mentioned yesterday, I made my first trip to Las Vegas this weekend. And one of the things that I really wanted to do while I was there, was visit the Temple. What an adventure that turned out to be...

As we were approaching the city, I put the directions into my phone so they could just drop me off at the Temple before they headed to the hotel. So when we were about 10 minutes from the Temple, my brother, who was driving, turns to me and the ensuing conversation went a little something like this:

Him: "You know I was serious when I said I'm not coming back to get you, right?"
Me: "What?!"
Him: "I'm not coming back to get you. You can take a taxi."
Me: "Are you out of your poker loving mind?! A freaking taxi?!"
Him: "Yeah, a taxi. You're a big girl."
Me: "Yeah, well you're an a-hole. Fine! I'll figure it out."

Fast forward a bit...I got the curbside drop off, and went in and had a wonderfully inspiring session at the Temple. As I went to exit, a kind sister tossed me a phone book so I could get a lift to the hotel. I called and finally got to talk to a real live person after spending 69 minutes on hold. She said they would send a taxi, but to call back if they weren't there in 25 minutes. I made the call 25 minutes later and was told they were just sending someone out for me. Over an hour later my mini van arrived. I jump in and my limited-English-speaking-driver proceeds to tell me that it's gonna cost me 60 clams to make the not quite 20 minute journey to the hotel. I said I only had $50 (Yes, that was a lie. And a sin. And the fact that I was just leaving the Temple,  probably makes it a double sin. I will repent later.) We took off and I was at the front of the Mirage in roughly 15 minutes. I will spare you the details of what the ride consisted of, as it was scary enough I have tried to block it from my mind. I will suffice it to say that it made the countless NYC taxi rides I have taken, look like the epitome of safety and as un-thrilling as the kiddie rides at Disney Land.

But to see and experience this, was worth it all...

I am so thankful for the Temple. As I was here, it came to my mind so strongly what a refuge from the world the Temple is. When you think of all of the hustle, commotion, and the not so good that fills the Strip of Las Vegas...just a few miles from all of that sits this. A gorgeous place full of quite, calm, and the goodness of God.

What a blessing it is that our loving Father provides us with a place to go and leave the world behind for a moment, and spend some quality time with Him. Just looking at the Temple is a tender reminder of His eternal love for us...

"The Temple is a house of God...A place of love and beauty"

Viva Las Vegas

I made my first trip to Vegas this weekend. It was a two day quickie. I don't think I got the full effect of the city, as I didn't even make it out onto the Strip to be bombarded by fine gentlemen clicking and leg slapping to toss me a pamphlet of porn. I didn't make it to see Celine. Nor did I pay $69 to catapult myself off the top of the Stratosphere. No I didn't have time for any of these delights, but here is what I did have time for...

Hanging with the King of Queens and the guy Everybody Loves...

Yep, that's right, I went and hung for a moment with Ray Romano and Kevin James at the Mirage Hotel before their comedy show. These guys are incredibly nice, and incredibly funny.

I do feel like I will be making another trip to the L.V., probably sooner rather than later. What are the 'must do-s' you seasoned Vegas goers suggest?...

Temple Grandin and the Guardian...

Last night some of my dear friends and I went to listen to Temple Grandin speak. (If you are not familiar with her, get familiar. You may be asking yourself, where would one find the HBO movie 'Temple Grandin' starring a young Ms. Claire Danes, that tells her story?...Yep, you guessed it...NetFlix!)

She is an incredible woman who has made such a difference in the world. From the time she was born, the doctors and professionals were telling Temple's mother that she wouldn't amount to anything and that she should just be institutionalized. Temple's mom refused to listen. She tirelessly worked with her daughter, offering her all she could so as to help her reach the potential that she knew was deep within her little girl.

Long story short, Temple Grandin is now known as Dr. Temple Grandin, having earned a doctorate degree. She is a professor at Colorado State University. She has published multiple books and articles. Amounting to nothing...Far from it!

As I sat there last night, it was so evident that she flourished and came into her own and achieved a level of greatness all because she had someone believed in her and refused to give up on her and refused to allow her to give up on herself.

We all need a cheerleader don't we? We need someone in our life to tell us we can when the world, tells us we can't. We need someone to cheer us on and believe in us when we find it difficult to believe in ourselves.

I am thankful for the cheerleaders in my life. Those who encourage and believe in me, and see the good and the positive when I can't.

I've decided that I need to be a better cheerleader. I'm going to make it a focus to help others see their greatness and potential, when they are blind to it. How bout it...wanna join me? 'Go, fight, win!'

Bring It On, Blee-otch!...

I read a story that struck me funny today...

Two broads in Maryland got into a fight at a WalMart and proceeded to "throw bleach on one another as well as another chemical..." I mean really, what could lead to such a ruckus in the laundry supply isle?! Were they duking it out over the last Tide-To-Go stick? One can only wonder and imagine. But apparently it was such a to do, the store was evacuated for a bit so Hazmat could come in and take care of business and clean up.

Classy ladies. Real classy.

World Vision

World Vision...Have you ever heard of it? I had, but I didn't really hear about it until Thursday night.

Meet Festus...

Festus is the one my heart was drawn to, to sponsor. As you can see, he is absolutely adorable. He is three years old and lives in Zambia. How can you just not fall in love with that face?! (And as a sidenote ladies and gents, his birthday is June 20th. I will be throwing a birthday party for him. We will all bring gifts and donate them to a local charity in his honor. So circle the date on your calendar now, as it'll be an absolute delight!)

The program of World Vision allows you to sponsor a child for $35 a month. This allows the child to receive necessary care and supplies that they would otherwise would have to go without. Things like food, clean water, shelter, and schooling...things that most of us take for granted on a daily basis.

As I listened to the program explained, and heard people share their stories of how their lives had been touched and changed by sponsoring a child. As I sat there I thought of how many blessings I have in my life. I thought of all of the frivolous things I spend my money on...the cupcakes, my Sonic brewskie habit, the 'As Seen on TV' devices, the list could go on and on. I can minimize those spendings and happily send that money to Zambia. Is there a vice you spend a lot of money on? Something that you'd be willing to give up, so that you could support one of these kids? Give it some thought ...

~~~

Want to get involved? Click here to go to World Vision's website where you can have all of your questions answered and get signed up to make a difference in the life of a child who desperately needs your help. Maybe you want to help, but can't do the $35 a month? There are one time gifting options of livestock or needed supplies, you can check that out here.

~~~

 

Casting Crowns

Tonight some friends and I went to a Casting Crowns concert. It was one of the coolest shows I've been to in a very long time. It was so neat to have this huge group of people together with this vibe of unity because of a commonality in their belief...so different than most things in this world right now as so many focus on the differences which result in a feeling of division and conflict.

There were three opening bands. The first was this lady...

Opening-Opening-Opening Act: Lindsay McCaul

The second band was called 'The Afters.' I wasn't super impressed. So no pic.

Then to the third and final opening band...

Opening Act: Sanctus Real

Then the show really began....

They sang quite a few new songs from their new cd "Come To The Well." It sounds like it is going to be fabulous! (As a little side note, it comes out October 18th, and you can pre-order it @ Lifeway Bookstores for $9.99 plus they give you a $5 giftcard! Score!)

Casting Crowns...(The band is kinda big, so here are half of them...)

And the other half...

Jen and I...

It was a delightful evening, and something big happened within my heart tonight...I will post the deets about it all tomorrow. You'll want to check it out, and maybe you'll wanna join me...

I've loved this band from the first time I heard them. If you are into Christian Rock, I am sure that you will love them too. Check them out...Here is a random YouTube video of one of their songs that I really enjoy, and I hope you do too...

Attitude of Gratitude

I read this thought last night, and it really struck me..

"What if we woke up tomorrow with only the things that we thanked God for today?"

With this thought in our minds, if it were true, oh how it would change for most of us much about our prayers and their contents!

Rosh Hashanah

Today is Rosh Hashanah...it is the begining of the Jewish new year. So it made me think, today would be a good day for us all to come up with a resolution. Yes, I know most of us do that on January 1st, but there is always room for improvement, no? And today is as good of day as any to recommit to something good, or recommit to giving up something that is not so good.

So, what will your Rosh Hashanah resolution be?... (I would share mine with you, but I'll be honest, I still haven't come up with a good one yet. I'll keep ya posted...)

Adventures in Indiana

Pictures are worth a thousand words, so I will let them do most of the talking about the odds and ends of our adventures...

This made it all real to me, that I was going, really going to Indiana to have the trip of a lifetime...

Getting ready to fly!...What can I say, we put the 'fun' in dysfunctional!

We stopped by the Indianapolis Museum of Art...It was a pretty neat place. It was huge! It was cool to be able to see original VanGoughs and Monets...I'd seen them in books before but never seen one in real life.

This is the original sculpture of this piece of artwork. Kinda cool. (And as a side note, who knew that a fat white girl could jump like that?!...)

I like this painting...I think it should be entitled "Twilight Zone Eyeball"

My Ma and Bro at the Art Museum (Like I said, we're dysFUNctional)

There were White Castle restaurants all over back there. My brother decided that we could not leave until we had dined here. All I can say it that it was one big (not the burgers, they were small and referred to as 'sliders'), grease filled, heartburn causing disappointment...

What do you think this is?...Its a hamburger. No, I'm not kidding, though I wish I was.

White Castle! Home of the award winning pimento-loaf-esque hamburger...

After we visited the Indianapolis Speedway (no, there are no pictures as it was not that noteworthy and the only pics I have of it are of my brother mooning it and I thought I would spare you from having to see that) we were driving back to town and I happened to spot this little gem in a ghetto-esque area. But it said bakery and there was a line, so I figured we'd stumbled upon a hot spot and I made my brother pull the car over so I could run in. All I can say is it was so worth it!

Home of some delightful baked goods...I think the favorite was the 'alligator.' A tasty treat that was the size of your arm (no joke). My brother best described the taste of it when he said it was "like a maple bar and a cinnamon roll made sweet, sweet love."  (This is also a shout-out to you Danielle as it is your name on the building)

I liked this. It was on a random fence outside of a Walgreens Pharmacy...

Good trip...Good times...

Colts vs Steelers

It is no secret that I love football. I mean I really love it. So to be able to head to Lucas Oil Stadium to watch the Colts take on the Steelers, brought me sheer joy. Here are some of the highlight shots...

This makes me mist every time I watch it...and I will say, it is even more emotional when you see it in person! The flag covers the entire field as the National Anthem is sung...Breathtaking!

Here is the little jerk who beat my dear friend Kirstie Alley on DWTS...Heinz Ward

Here is the booty shot of my boyfriend Reggie Wayne...

And here I am loving every minute of it, with my crazy Ma behind me giving me 'bunny ears' like a mature 12 year old would do... :)

The game was so good. It all came down to the last 14 seconds. It doesn't get better than that (okay, so it would've been better had the Colts won, but hey, you can't win em all...)! It was so stinkin much fun...Everything from watching BigBen get his clocked cleaned a few times, to the sweet 80 some odd year old lady sitting next to me getting so into the game, to my Ma's drink getting kicked over before the game even started, to entertainment of the cursing, fighting Colts/Steeler fans going back and forth (one guy even got a security escort out!), to the walking back to the hotel in a downpour... All of that my friends are  what memories are made of!

Eva Mozes Kor

As a little history to this, let me back up by saying that this whole endeavor started with NetFlix. Yeah, you read that correctly, NetFlix. For the last year or so, I've had a love affair with NetFlix and it's documentary selection. About four months or so ago, I watched a documentary entitled "Forgiving Dr. Mengele." I was so moved by it. Thoughts of it entered my mind almost every day.

The story was about a woman named Eva Mozes Kor, who is a survivor of the Holocaust. She and her twin sister Miriam were victims of Dr. Mengele's cruel experiments on twins. Her story of suffering and loss is incomprehensible. But it is her story of forgiveness that is as unimaginable.

This woman who has every right to live a life full of anger, hate, and bitterness toward the world and all those who wronged and tortured her, lives a life full of the opposite. She went on to offer a declaration of forgiveness to those who did unspeakable things to her during the Holocaust. And she now lives her life spreading a message of the need to forgive one another. She states that forgiving is the best gift a victim can give themselves, as it frees them. They are no longer tied to the one who hurt them.

If you get the chance, check out her documentary "Forgiving Dr. Mengele." She also has two books out; I recommend "Echoes From Auschwitz." You can also read more about her story of survival, her mission of forgiveness and much more by going to her website... http://www.candlesholocaustmuseum.org/

So long story short, I saw the documentary and was so moved by it and just had the most overwhelming impression that I needed to get in contact with this woman. So I did. She agreed to meet with me at the museum she runs in Terre Haute, Indiana. And before I knew it, tickets were booked and my mom, brother and I were heading out to Indy for the experience of a lifetime...

Here are some pictures from my travels...

I was taking pictures of everything as I wanted to document every detail of the journey. So here you've got the freeway exit sign for Terre Haute...

Here is the actual building...The CANDLES Holocaust Museum

We sat with Eva and she talked with us for more than two and a half hours. I was captivated by everything she said. She is full of such determination, and humor, and insight. Something she said to me during our discussion that I thought was worthy of sharing was, "I believe that the world wants to know that there are a lot of terrible things that happen, but that you as a victim, as a bystander, as a human being, you have a choice...you can take the power to rule your own life and make your life what you want it to be, that is an important thing. And [the knowledge of us having that choice and that power] is desperately needed."

My brother, my mom, and I with one of the most incredible human beings I've ever encountered...Eva Mozes Kor

My mom and I with Walter...A German Jew who was able to flee the country before the war began. He is the sweetest man.

This was the scene as we were leaving Terre Haute and heading back to Indianapolis...it summed up perfectly the way that I felt...so very enlightened.

What?! A Sonic in Terre Haute?! What a perfect ending to a perfect day...

 ~~~

"There were about 1 million people who went through Auschwitz and some how survived. And that to me is important. Isn't there a lesson? That even all the misery and all the cruelty could not completely defeat all the people's human spirit. And that is important to know. I can show you endless numbers of people who have survived unbelievable things--there are times when they look back and they ask themselves 'How on earth did I do that?' We are a lot stronger than we think that we are." -Eva Mozes Kor

~~~

InDy...

I took a little trip to Indiana last week. It was more than just a little vacation, it was a life changing journey. It was so big in fact, I will break it down into 3 different posts for you. I hope you enjoy reading about it a fraction as much as I did experiencing it...

Have Mercy

Me, WOG Lori, Peggy, and Fira enjoying the fact that it stopped raining in time for the show

On Friday night I went with some friends to a MercyMe concert. It was a delight. So different from your regular rock show. The entire night was devoted to worshiping God and Jesus. There was a very cool vibe there. Though it was an entertaining show full of drums and electric guitars, it gave way to allow you some time to think and reflect on what really matters, what this life is all about, and the Ones who are there to help you get through it all...

9/11

Even having been to the 9/11 memorial in New York, it is still hard to comprehend the magnitude of what happen that day. In the memorial you see walls covered from top to bottom with pictures of those who lost their lives. You see a massive twisted beam that once was part of one of the towers. There is a plane window. All of it before you is very overwhelming and emotional. As you leave, you are left still questioning why and how. Why would people want to kill so many innocent people, and how could that much hate and evil reside in a person to cause them to carry out such a horrendous act? I don't understand, and I don't think I ever will.

So today I remeember the tragedy that occurred 10 years ago and those that were lost that day, but also remembering the triumph of those that survived and the courage of those that continue to fight every day to protect us and our freedom. May God bless this great country today and always...

My Grandparents are the best...

Happy Grandparents Day G~Ma and G~Pa. I love you!

Me and my G~Ma and G~Pa in the Mexican Riviera last January

Green Bay Wilson Phillips Delight

Tonight was a big night...

The NFL started it's season with a huge game...Packers vs Saints. I have been waiting for this moment since the closing second of the Superbowl last year. I love football. Probably more than I should. It is the highlight of my Fall and Winter. It's off to a beautiful start with the Packers win tonight! I feel that this season is going to be full of underdogs coming out of nowhere and stunning all of the critics...(lets just hope that my Titans can be one of those surprising shining stars)

And the other delight of the night was the little trip we took to the State Fair to see the one, the only, wait for it...Wilson Phillips! Yeah, I know you are all writhing in jealousy. It was a total blast from the past, even more so than expected. The night should have been called "A Tribute To Our Parents and Fleetwood Mac." Don't get me wrong, I still loved it, but I just thought we might hear some of the classics of Wilson Phillips rather than the greatest hits of the Beach Boys, the Mamas and the Papas, and Stevie Nicks. Nevertheless it was some good times...

vaChynna Phillips, Wendy Wilson, and Carnie...

Labor Day White

I've always marched to the beat of my own drum. Anyone who knows me can attest to this. I do most things in my own crazy way. Today I decided to take a stand against all of the 'fashion experts' out there. No white after Labor Day they say? Well take this...

Happy Birthday Mother T...

This year to celebrate Mother Teresa's birthday, we decided to go give the 'gift of life' and donate blood. We figured she would think that was an okay gift...

(I would like to offer a big shout-out thank you to everyone who came to support the cause. You guys are rockstars and I love you. And I would also like to cordially thank the kind folks at ARUP for putting up with us and not kicking our crazy butts out...)

Mr. Groban
Looking so brave as he donated blood for the first time in his life (take note Hank!)



Brother Dale
There to support Mother T and his bro Groban

Here I am in my finest MooMoo for the occasion (it was Friday) with my arm warmers for an added look of sexiness...

Kedar
Enjoying his CornNuts after his donation

The Anemic Rejects...
(if you ask Peggy, they were deferred because they didn't have enough 'iron' and they won't take your blood because they don't want you to become 'bulimic'. For those of you who don't speak Peggenese, replace the word fiber with iron and the word bulimic with anemic...)

Power Rangers
Mother Teresa style!

So we say to you Mother Teresa...We hope you had a wonderful birthday! Thank you for being such an incredible example of how to love and give of ourselves and truly serve those around us...

~~~

"Each of us is merely a small instrument. When you look at the inner workings of electrical things, often you see small and big wires, new and old, cheap and expensive lined up. Until the current passes through them there will be no light. That wire is you and me. The current is God.

"We have the power to let the current pass through us, use us, produce the light of the world. Or we can refuse to be used and allow darkness to spread."  -Mother Teresa

~~~

I'm Gonna Fly...

I heard the following story the other day and it struck me at how often I am like one of these turkeys. Read it and see if you too can relate...

There once was a group of turkeys. They spent their days doing turkey stuff. You know, hanging out, looking ugly, dreading Thanksgiving and not flying.

Then one day one of the turkeys announced that they were invited to a conference where there would meet a flying turkey. They were so stoked because this flying turkey was going to teach them how to fly! They couldn’t believe it. They got their stuff together and walked to the conference – hoping it would be the last time they would have to walk.

They stood around in a group waiting. Then all of a sudden, one of the turkeys noticed something in the sky coming towards them. As it got closer, they saw it was a FLYING TURKEY!

He swooped down and landed in the middle of the group. It was incredible!
For the next few hours, the flying turkey taught them all about flying. He showed them how to use their wings and the wind to fly.

Later that day, he brought them to a cliff and one-by-one each turkey jumped off and flew. It was amazing. The turkeys couldn’t believe it. They soared through the air. They went above the clouds. They did flips and dive bombs, they did things they never could have imagined.

It was the greatest experience of their lives. They now knew how to fly. They were so excited. They would never have to touch the ground again! They felt amazing. This was so much better and quicker than walking. Why didn’t they learn this before?

The conference ended and they all landed back at the main conference area. The turkey’s waved good-bye as their flying instructor took off and flew to another turkey conference.

The group of turkeys then, picked up their stuff and walked home.

So often we learn something new, we gain knowledge or insight or inspiration, but then do nothing with it.

I too spent a week at a Conference of sorts this last week. And I am determined to use what I learned and fly with it. I will take that which I learned and allow it to make me better so that I may soar to higher places. Now the trick will be not to 'land' and return to my old ways, but to rather remain airborne.

Who is with me?...

Ready...Set...FLY!!!