A Hot Date...

So it's Saturday night...

I've got a hot date...

With not just one, but two men...

Their names...

Ben and Jerry...

The plan...

Yeah, its as good as it sounds...
Maybe even better...

All The Rage...

Yesterday was spent in the pools of Raging Waters. It was a blast.

I must say that I laughed though, when I looked at the wristbands they give you when you rent a tube:










Yeah, that's right, it says 'Single."
I'm branded wherever I go.
Even the girl at the CupCake Shop
asked why I was wearing such
a bracelet and asked if I bought
it at the store...
I told her to shut her pretty little mouth
and started singin' a little Beyonce...

Now during this day long adventure, I tackled the feat that I said I never would...I went on the "Waimea". Now for those of you who don't know what that is, here is what the explanation on their website says:
Calling all thrill seekers...Get ready to break the speed limit! Dare to take a vertical plunge from the top of a 70–foot high tower then travel more than 30 mph down a 244 foot–long head–first slide to the bottom. Can you make it over the "hump?"

Now when they say 'hump' what they really mean is mini mountain peak. Seriously. Now let me just get it out there that no, it was not the 70 foot tower part that made me steer clear of this bad boy. It is the fact that if you are not fortunate enough to make it up and over the 'hump' you slide back down into the little dip/gully area that precedes the 'hump.' Then you must shamefully throw yourself out the side of the gully and barrel out and take a climb down a ladder to the bottom. Now I, being a large and in charge gal, did not want to chance the fact I would not be able to launch my lardness up and over the hump. But yesterday all that changed...at the urging (and also the bribery as he said that it was the way I could repay him for a photo he took earlier in the day) of my brother, as well as the encouragement of some little tykes that were probably only 7 (who had ridden this 'a million times and never gotten stuck, so the told me), I decided why not.

And so there I went...down the tube going at least 69mph (I think it is fair to say that the excess poundage I am carrying supplied the 39 faster than normal mph). Up and over the hump. No problemo.

Here is a lovely photo from the day...

So next time you are at the Rage, try the hump, I mean the Waimea. If I can do it, anyone can...

Happy Birthday Deb!

Happy Birthday to one of the kindest
and most loving souls I've ever met...

You radiate light and give love to
all you meet. You are such a blessing
in the lives of all around you.

I hope you have a day as amazing as you are!

And here is one of the

delectable cupcakes
that was also part
of our celebration of
your big day...

Sir Paul

Since I can remember I have been in love with old-man-musicians. Cases in point: Kenny Rogers, Don Henley, and Sir Paul McCartney. And ever since I can remember this love fest, I can also remember praying that the Beatles would have a reunion tour...

Well tonight, the seeing the Beatles dream came 1/4 of the way true (and I must add that it is most certainly the best looking quarter). Here is what I got to feast my eyes upon and listen to for 21/2 hours or so:
Yeah, that's right...Paul McCartney.

Hands down it is the best show I have ever been to. And trust me, I have been to a lot of concerts in my day. I've seen Elton John and Billy Joel, Cher, The Eagles (sorry Don, will you still love me?), Tina Turner (sorry birth mom, will you still love me?), Garth Brooks, some of the greats...The list could go on and on. For the longest time, Tina topped that list. But tonight that changed. My lover Paul rocked non-stop for a good 21/2 hours and was incredible! AMAZING.

So I have only two words to you Paul, love of my life...MARRY ME!

Here is a little bonus pic. He is playing a ukulele that was from the personal collection of George Harrison that he gave to Paul as a gift:

SO COOL!

Happy Anniversary

30 years ago today, my folks got hitched...

30 years seems like such a long time. And then I stop to think that I am 27...(wow, does time fly!)

So I say to you Mom and Dad, Happy Anniversary. Just think that the love story you began here is one that is going to last forever...

Helping Hands

I read an article from the Associated Press last night that broke my heart.(I know it is shocking to think that I started crying while reading yet another news piece.) But this really got me. It was about Haiti and that 6 months post-earthquake you still have thousands upon thousands of people who are homeless, hungry, and hopeless.

Here is the article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38184951/ns/world_news-americas

The immediate feeling of my heart is that I want to get on a plane and go help these people. And then the thought comes to me, that there are people all around me in my own community, in my own state, that are in need as well.

It is more than my mind can process to think that this is going on in the world. The suffering...The lacking...The need...

The headlines are covered with the latest NBA news of who is signing with what team and for what astronomical dollar amount. Frankly, it is disgusting. It sickens me to think that we are paying guys tens of millions of dollars a season to bounce a basketball. It is no different in any other sport. Millions of dollars are tossed around and used to purchase fancy sports cars and palatial homes and unnecessary odds and ends like $500 thousand dollar jewelry.

It just doesn't seem right to me. It doesn't seem right that this kind of money and spending can go on and there are homeless shelters and food pantries and schools that are all having to close their doors because there just isn't enough funding.

There is need all around us. There are countless opportunities to give and serve and bless lives. And no, we all don't have large amounts of money to donate, but we can donate our time. Time to causes like Habitat For Humanity. www.habitat.org Or to the local Food Bank.

So no, we might not be able to help everyone, but we can help someone. Start in your own community. I love the saying, "Think global, act local." As we act locally, we make this world a bit better one community at a time, which in turn makes this world a better place.

You can make a difference, all you have to do is act...

A Gem Is On The Way...

All I am going to say is that I received a most wonderful gift from my G-Ma and G-Pa today, so be on the look out for a gem of a post to be coming your way in the near future as I put this magnificent gift to use...
And I will say that the gift will put the prize I won at Bunko to some good use! (Thanks again Sisterr Hansen for such a fun and delightful evening...)

Jolly Good Day

Today was an unbelievably delightful day...

A wonderful morning with Kris...

A superb lunch at Applebees with the best of company...


And to top the night of with Bunko...
(And yes, there were more than four of us at Bunko,
but the rest of the ladies refused to be blogged...)
So thank you Danielle, DeVille and Nitram
for being photographed and adding to the
documenting of my life, blog style.

Hooray for Howard!

Today we had a celebration at Sizzler...My friend Kim passed a test that is required for teaching. From what I hear, it is a beast of a test. She took it and passed...and there is no better place to celebrate an accomplishment like that, than at the Siz. (which makes me think of the 'Sev' which makes me want a Slurpee and a chocolate donut...) Anyway, it was a lovely little get together with lovely company and super lovely Malibu Chicken...
And so I say to you Howard...I am so very proud of you and so happy for you! Hip Hip Hooray!

There Is A God

This morning I read an article that brought me to tears. It was about an elderly woman who had the cops called on her, because she had her husband's and sister's corpses stored in her home. Now before you flip out, listen to the reasoning...

This sweet 90 year old woman had the remains of her loved ones stored in her home because she fears that death just might be the end. She isn't sure that there is a God, and fears that this life is all there is.

I can't express how this broke my heart. It saddened me thinking of this dear old woman who has lost her two best friends, and couldn't bear to say goodbye. It is my presumption, but I am guessing that she is alone in this world, and that maybe by having them near her it eased some of that loneliness.

I know what it is like to lose someone you love dearly. That separation is agonizing. But I have something that this sweet woman doesn't...I have faith and hope that there is something more. I have faith and hope that there is a loving God who is the Father of us all, who sent us here for a purpose. I have faith and hope that this life is not the end and that there is something glorious that awaits us when we leave this frail existence.

As I read the article, it made me realize once again how blessed my life is because of my beliefs. They haven't made my life bliss or a road on easy street, but they have definitely made it much more manageable. Nothing completely takes the sting of death away for those that are left behind. But I must say that belief in God and His promises, makes that temporary goodbye, a bit more bearable. It gives hope to life, that after we have lived our own lives, there will be a glorious reunion with those who have gone on before...

And so I say to Jean and all other of you who doubt God...I pray with my whole soul that you will come to know as I do, that yes there is a God. A God who is the loving Father of us all. And that He does have a plan for each of us. This life is not the end. Glorious things await us. We will be reunited with our loved ones who preceded us in death. Of that I am sure, for it is this belief that gives purpose to each day of my life. I know I will see my dad again as well as the loving face of my Father. I will go on living and loving that God who I know lives and loves me, and when the time comes for me to leave mortality I am sure of the fact that I will return to that place which we all came from and there will be loving arms to greet me.

Seek Him, and you will surely find Him...

Happy Independence Day

To get you in the spirit of the 4th of July...

Here is a little video I made with a song I really enjoy, entitled
"We Are America" by my dear friends Heartbound.
I hope you enjoy...

As for me and my plans this lovely 4th of July, I am sitting here enjoying my day, lovin' the Lord and the Land of the Free...

For your viewing pleasure, here is a little pic of me and Mr.MeatBall enjoying Independence Day. Nothing says America like hot dogs (it is his Halloween costume that I bought him, and unfortunately he isn't too fond of it, yet in this picture it looks like he is smiling and loving it...). Even though you can't see it, I am sporting my red, white, and navy blue Atlanta Braves jersey (it is the home of the Brave, right?!)

Happy Independence Day
~~~
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Happy Birthday Lorrie!

Happy Birthday Lorrie Lorrie Lorrie! Thank you for teaching me 'how to be like Jesus.' You inspire me with the unconditional love you give to everyone and with your eternally positive attitude. Thank you for being my friend and for showing me how to enjoy the simple things in life...

I chose this picture of her with Jo Dee Messina, because it
was very possibly one of the most humorous nights of my life.
We took her to Wendover to see the concert. She loved
every minute of it. But the over-the-top, could barely contain her
excitement was when Jo Dee sang "I Be Alright",
which is a Heartbound song!
(Now yes, I know the actual title is "I'm Alright" and Jo Dee is
the original artist on the song.
But there was NO, I repeat NO convincing her of that fact.)
To her, it was a Heartbound song,
and she proceeded to tell me after the concert,
"Yeah, Jo Dee, her did a good job,
but I like the way that Heartbound sing it better."
Oh how I love this girl!

Chunky Brewster

It all started on an elevator a couple of weeks ago...
I got on and once I was standing inside, it began to beep. The beep that states 'Help! I've got too much weight on me and there is no way I can take you fatties up even one floor, someones gotta get off!" Yep, that kind of beep. Luckily it was just a false alarm, and some man's hand being in the door was to blame. (Don't worry, his hand wasn't shut in the door, he was just holding it open...)

Fast forward a few days. I am on another elevator with my G~Pa (who was with me during the first beeping experience). I get on, and what happens?...you guessed it, more bloody beeping! My G~Pa looks at me, laughs and tells me that I might have to get off and take the stairs.

So I believe that it is all a sign. A giant, beeping, super-sized sign that it is time for me to trade in my cupcakes for cardio... What?! That is just crazy talk right there.What am I saying?!? Forget all that treadmill talk... I am going to hold onto my cupcakes for dear life. (In fact I will clutch one in each hand as to make it a well balanced diet.) And I'll just take my chances at another beepin' elevator!