Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Random Favorites

1. Fast Food: Culver's

2. Flower: Snapdragons

3. Candle Scent: Pink Grapefruit

4. Candy Bar: Dove (for today anyway!)

5. American Idol Finalist: LaKisha

6. Game: Canadian Racko (It's regular Racko, but we create our own rules and twists!)

7. Book Series: Anne of Green Gables

8. Television Mini Series: Lonesome Dove

9. Puzzle: Word Search

10. Talk Show: Ellen

11. Dessert: Chocolate Mousse Cake

12. Place I've Ever Been: Switzerland

13. Meat: Chicken

Okay, so it wasn't very creative today! I've been so busy this week reading blogs and trying to catch up on actual work. Go figure!

News around here is I had a doctor appointment on Monday and she's trying to find me a doctor that will replace my hips sooner because I am damaging my upper body being on crutches. She raised my pain medication to see if that will help, but I hate being on so much medication that right now I am trying to tough it out. I gave in and got a perscription for a wheelchair. It's not a scooter because it's too painful right now to get in and out of them. So it's just a regular one that if I am up to shopping someone in my family will have the privilege of pushing me around ;o)

My mom is doing well! We have our days of tears, but for the most part she is doing okay. She's even helping me in Awana and when I am home by myself she comes over to help! She does worry about me alot though. I try to ease her mind and let her know I am going to be just fine!

My hard working hubby had a nice big write up in Hot Rod magazine (complete with a tone of pics!)! So needless to say I am very proud of him!

I hope everyone is gearing up for a fun weekend. Not sure what's on our agenda yet. I'm sure it will involve a board game or two!

Hugs to one and all!

My Visual DNA

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

This was fun to do. Please let me know if you post one too and I'll come check it out!

Throwing In The Towel

Please don't take this wrong~promise? The blog party was a great idea. A chance to meet others that will inspire me to be a better wife and mom. A way to reach out and let others know that your alive and well in Blogville!

I was so excited and started down the list of names to visit. I bookmarked several that I knew I wanted to check out more thoroughly. After hours of sitting at the computer I realized that I was only on #42! I wasn't too worried though because I had the rest of the week to par-tay! Suck it up. There's always tomorrow.

By Wednesday I had only made it to #112. Because I can no longer work I don't have access to dsl anymore. I'm still in the dark ages. I confess. I have dial up. And I thought I was slow! lol!

I felt a duty, an urgency to party my brains out. I laid in bed many a night and wondered what was happening in my absence. I missed posting my Works For Me Wednesday and my favorite Thursday Thirteen, which is back!!! While I was enjoying the good eats and the warm welcomes I was missing my friends that I visit faithfully.

I'm usually not a quitter. When it's painful I push that much harder. But ladies, I've lost my spark. It's too overwhelming right now. I'm throwing in the towel. For now.

I want to continue building on my friendships that I have now. It's not that I don't have room for one more friend. I know I will keep visiting new blogs and posting comments and starting new friendships. I promise to be here if a stranger stops by and needs a shoulder to cry on! But for now I need to visit some familiar faces.

I thank you for your hospitality. I'll try to stop by sometime in the future. Please don't hesitate to leave a comment. I will stop by and thank you in person~maybe even bring a box of chocolates to nibble on while we get acquainted!

Now I'm starting to feel a little guilty. Maybe I'll go check out just a few more blogs today. But only after I reacquaint myself with my old blogging buddies!

Here's a (((HUG))) just for stopping by today!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

What is your usual bedtime? Do you like that, or would you rather it be different?

I go to bed around 11:30. For the past month I only sleep about three hours a night. I'm pooped! And, no, it doesn't help to go to bed any earlier!

Soup

When it comes to advice, do you give more or receive more?

I've always been told I'm a great listener. I'll be there if you need a shoulder to cry on or to vent. I usually offer advice when I think you are asking me otherwise I tend to just listen and maybe even cry along with you!

Salad

Describe a memorable meal you've had.

I tend to brag on my husband, but ladies, he is amazing! One day he invited all my lady friends over to be Queen For A Day! He bought a beautiful boquet of flowers for the centerpiece and made a couple different types of teas and coffee. We then had to choose between french onion and tortilla soup. Then we had some kind of really, really expensive roast that melted in your mouth. Honestly, I probably could have eaten the entire thing it was that good! I can't remember the veggie right now, but I guarantee it was delish. And then we had a huge variety of desserts that were all personally made by my hubby. His six layer chocolate mousse cake and chocolate souffle were among the most requested, but he had other little fancy things such as lemon tarts and tiny cheesecakes. The food was all wonderful, but I love it that he thought of me and my friends as Queens and he made all of us feel like one that day too!


Main Course

Name a work of fiction that affected the way you think about something.

Redeeming Love by Francine (spelling?) Rivers.

Dessert

What is your favorite type of fruit juice?

I love grape juice and wish our communion cups were bigger!

Will The Madness Ever Stop!

Wow! This party is C.R.A.Z.Y.!!!! I am having a B.L.A.S.T.!! Can you believe there are over 700 signed up right now? I don't know how I am going to make it to all the invites. Maybe I'll have to politely invite myself over for the next few weeks in order to catch up. Hope you don't mind! And my home has an open invitation~any day, any time...day or night...come rain or come shine...okay, enough already! You got the picture!

And now for a little Monday Madness

1. From beth: What's the most unusual hobby you have? How did you get started with it?

It's certainly not unusal, but I love signing up for any kind of free samples I can get~even if I won't use it! Then when they arrive I have a BIG basket I keep them in. It's like Christmas to me and I enjoy looking through them and see what I have! Once in awhile I cave and try something I haven't before and sometimes when I run out of something I just so happen to have a sample or two until I can get to the store! I need a life, huh?

2. From briar: How many different kinds of music do you listen to? Name a few favorites, if you please.

YES! A music question~my favorite! I have a wide variety of tastes. And I like it loud~and not because I am deaf! My kids usually ask me to turn it down!! 4Him as far as christian music goes, musical soundtracks are fun, Queen is awesome, there's Josh Groban, I love the TimeLife series like the '70's and 80's, Abba-'mainly because I am the original Dancing Queen, and I relaz to classical, but if you know me at all you know who I love always~SIGH! My man Donny Osmond....stop laughing! Hey, he's still in the biz after all these years! He must be doing something right! Scroll down a bit and you'll see another great meme called The Soundtrack of Your Life. It was so much fun to do. If you decide to do it please let me know so I can read yours too!

3. From iris: Do you take advantage of the outdoor areas where you live? What's your favorite thing to do outside? What's your favorite local bird?

We have many state parks that are just beautiful, but I have never been one to go on trails and hike. Must have something to do with my bum joints, but anyway my favorite thing to do outside is go to the waterparks. I'm great at floating in the lazy river and the slides are so much fun too! My favorite local bird is the Blue Jay. At least I think it's local! All I know is they are blue and that's my favorite color, soooo....

4. From kristy: Children: Do you have any?

Yes, I have three! Oldest-daughter (20), Middle-daughter (18), Youngest-son (16). We adopted all of them and they are biological siblings and the bestest thing that every happened to me and my husband!

5. From amy: What is your favorite part of spring?

Sniff! Mmmm! I love the smell of that first cut grass after a long winter and seeing green at long last!

And now for some randomness...

I've been busy working all day and my mom suprised me with some chinese food just now! Hello broccoli beef! Thanks mom, I needed that boost of energy!

Last night at church we had a suprise party for our new pastor. We had a popcorn theme and folks brought their favorite flavored popcorn. We brought lime and strawberry flavored popcorn. All you do is pop some buttered popcorn and add some jello to it~whatever flavor you choose~and then just shake it up real good! Your welcome!

Tomorrow night is American Idol!! Who is your favorite? I think a girl is going to win this year, don't you? I have not been as impressed as I was last year. Hopefully someone will suprise me though!

I'll leave you with a funny. When my son was 3 1/2 and we were shopping in the toy aisles at Target or Wal-mart he would pick up something he liked and yell, "Oh, I wish I could want that!" Isn't that cute?

Let's Get Ready To Rumble~uh, I Mean Par-Tay!!

How should I introduce myself? What should I say?

Hello, I'm Amy and thank you for coming today.

Kick off your shoes and let me take your coat.

Check out my archives and see what I wrote.

Let's get acquainted! What would you like to know about me?

I'm married to my best friend and I am a mother of three.

Blue is my favorite color and I love giraffes!

I think Donny Osmond still rocks. And yes, it's okay to laugh!

I am crazy and silly, but can behave when needed.

You can share your heart and nothing will be repeated.

I have my share of daily challenges, this is true.

But without my Lord and Saviour, I couldn't make it through.

He's my source of strength, my rock, my guide.

God helped me survive the day my father died.

I love this new world of blogging and meeting people like you.

Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget your shoes!

Be sure and sign my guestbook and let me know you were here.

I'll be sure and stop by your place the rest of the year.

Why Doust Thou Bloggest? Huh?

Yep, I've been tagged again! DeeDee asked me to list 5 Reasons I Blog. Okay, thinking, thinking..

1. When I was a young girl I loved Lisa Whelchel on The Mickey Mouse Club. I always felt there was something different about her. Years later I learned that she was a christian! I knew it!! Sometime last year I googled Lisa and came across her site and started reading her weekly journal. Awesome, by the way! One day she had a substitute writer, Sarah. Oh my! I ate up everything she had written. Her writing was amazing. Her story was inspiring. A true testimony in the darkest of times. Lisa had mentioned at the end of one of her posts about blogger and I decided to take a peek. And so it began....

2. Okay, so I get my own blog set up courtesy of Heather who BTW is a hard working med student and a true sweetheart. My first thought was~What in the world am I going to write about? I have always been more of a listener than a talker. Then I discovered things like Works For Me Wednesday, Thursday Thirteen, and Friday's Feast. Okay! At least they gave me a start. Easy to do~yay! But I really enjoyed reading everyone's answers. "Wow!", I thought, "There are so many people like me. And there are so many christians too." I was hooked.

3. And then came the comments! Not too many, but people actually checked me out and started asking questions, or saying~been there, done that, and letting me know they were praying for me! Again the thought, "Wow! Who couldn't use more prayer?" And with my dad being so sick I just knew that if I could get the word out there that more and more people would be praying for my folks. And boy did the prayers come and more comments and e-mails. I am very thankful for them all. You helped me get through the toughest time in my life.

4. Pamela became my first real blogging friend. I couldn't have asked for anyone better! I thought that even if I don't connect with anyone else through this new world I would keep in contact with her. She lets me leave long, lengthy comments (LOL!), but I know she prays for me and is encouraging not only through her comments, but also her blog. You always leave her place happy and feeling blessed. And I've made so many more friends like DeeDee who is just as weird as I am and the funniest girl I know, then there is Carol who is a talented writer but she and her son, Ruben are true prayer warriors, and I also love Michelle. She is also a great encourager and she shares about her beautiful daughter, Kayla. Kayla always brings a smile to my face every single day! And Christine is great too! Just look at her picture. Doesn't she have a great smile? She's so friendly and sweet. She's a great commenter and we all know that we thrive on comments! Admit it, you know you do!

5. And lastly, you know how when you visit a sick friend or go visit a nursing home in the hope that you will be an encouragement to them but it turns out that you walk away being the one encouraged by them? That's how it is for me everyday! I wake up and think that maybe I'll pay you a visit. See how your day is going. Maybe I'll leave a funny comment or a cheery note just to let you know I'm thinking about you. Then you welcome me into your world and you pour your heart out. Whether it is funny, sad, inspiring or thought provoking I always close your door behind me with a laugh, a tear, a great idea, a feeling of motivation or even a sigh of relief knowing that I am not the only one facing challenges that daily come my way. With God's help and yours I can make it through each day!

And that's what keeps me blogging!

Out Of The Blue

I was sitting in church last night taking sermon notes. I was happy to be at church. I was listening and enjoying the message. Where did it come from? Nothing sparked it.

All of the sudden I was in tears. My chest tightened. I was overwhelmed with sorrow. I couldn't stop crying. I was sitting next to my mom and did not want her to see me sobbing. I held it in the best I could. Thankfully she was focused on the sermon. I opened my purse and got out my travel pack of kleenex. I had to use all of them to dry up my tears. So sad. Undescribably sad. Never have I experienced anything like it.

My thoughts were about my dad. From out of the blue it hit me like a ton of bricks. Is this part of the grieving process?

The day my dad died had been a busy one for my mother. She had hundreds of papers to sign and was gone much of the day. He, still being clear minded wanted to know what all was going on. She explained to him that the papers she was signing were insurance papers stating that she had to put up the house for collateral or something like that. I don't understand it completely myself. But he did.

My father worked so hard all of his life. My folks were good stewards. They didn't have a lot, but they managed to stay debt free for most of their lives.

What were my dad's thoughts the day he died? Did he know he was going to die that night? I sat in church crying and wondering if my dad prayed, "Lord, please take me tonight so my wife doesn't have to worry about money or losing our home." Did he want to die alone? Was he in pain when it happened? What exactly took him? Did he just go peacefully in his sleep? Was he scared?

I thought of many more scenarios and realized I could drive myself crazy if I continued. I had to stop. My head hurt. Pounding in fact.

I was happy when the service ended. I was anxious to get home. I think of my dad everyday, but that was rough. I don't know if my heart can take it.

It's been hard to think today and I am still so unbelievably sad. Is this normal? I love my dad and I miss him soooo much.

If you have a verse you could share with me today I would appreciate it.

And just in case you haven't heard these words today~I love you. I think we all need to hear them at least once a day. And I mean it too! I love all the friends I have made in Blogville.

Love, Amy

How May I Serve You?

Okay Peeps, check this out....5 Minutes For Mom is having a week long party!
How did they know I need a break? Smart ladies!

Here's your chance to get your blog noticed, meet new friends, and win prizes! Yeah, that's right! I said win prizes.

I have met soooo many wonderful friends through blogging. I want you to have the chance to meet all the great ladies I have come to know and love.
Yes, I am willing to share because they all have enough love to go around!

And please let me know if you have any food allergies because I want everyone to be able to join in on the FUN! I do have two cats and a dog, but I will have them in another room so they won't be a bother. Same goes for my three kids unless you all want to meet them! LOL!

I gotta go so I can start cleaning (ugh!) decorating, and planning my menu, and getting my Donny Osmond cd's ready~ahhh, c'mon you're gonna love him! Okay, okay! I'm open to suggestions ;o)

NOTE: Please be in prayer for Janice. She's been having a rough time with her pregnancy. Right now all is well, but she and the baby need our prayers right now! Thanks!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

Where on your body do you have a scar, and what caused it?

Oh where to begin? A really awesome bike wreck resulted in scars on my forehead and my left knee. Then I have scars on both shoulders, both elbows, each finger on my right hand, right wrist and both knees because of replacements parts! Hopefully soon I'll be adding some more when I get my hips done. One day when we were bored we got out the measuring tape and all my scars add up to over 5' 3"!

Soup

What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?

It was my husband's birthday. His father had passed away five months earlier. He was missing his dad something terrible. We walked into Wal-mart and there was a man sitting in a wheelchair. When I saw him it took my breath away and I immediately looked at my husband. He had the same reaction. The weird thing is his dad was never in a wheelchair and this man sorta looked like my FIL, but not a spitting image. My husband ran to the bathroom and I said I would keep an eye on this gentlemen. I was watching the man and then he was no longer there and I couldn't find him anywhere! It's not like he disappeared before my eyes. I think maybe he was an angel to give my husband comfort on his special day. And what's weird too is that we told our pastor about it and he had the same think happen to him on his birthday which is the same day as my husbands! Cool, huh?

Salad

Name a television personality who really gets on your nerves.

I used to love Rosie before she came out of the closet. Once she did she turned militant.

Main Course

What was a funny word you said as a child (such as “pasketti” for “spaghetti”)?

I don't know about me, but my daughter used to say "chetchup" for ketchup. I always thought it was cute!

Dessert

Fill in the blank: I have always thought ______ was ______.

I have always thought blue was the prettiest color ever.
I have always thought Donny was going to be my husband!
I have always thought my dad was the most gentle, kindest, sweetest man I'll ever know!

So Long, Farewell Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things That For Some Reason Drive Me Crazy When They Shouldn't

1. It drives me crazy if my socks are inside out.

2. Why won't people remember to put a chip clip on the Doritos? I don't know why I care since I can't eat them. If they want stale chips then so be it!

3. Why this gets to me I have no idea, but when my kids eat a piece of hard candy they suck on it for like two seconds and then CHOMP, CHOMP, CHOMP! They don't even enjoy it!

4. I like to have my cd's alphabetized. It's not that hard to keep 'em that way people!

5. And don't even get me started about dvd's in the wrong cases.

6. I can't stand to hear people smack their gum. Especially when they are a cashier or a waitress.

7. It drives me nuts when, as a family we are watching a movie, but the kids talk all the way through it! SSshhhhh!

8. If I say no thank you when offered a cookie, please quit trying to tempt me! I don't need the calories. If you keep on I may just have to bite you ;o)

9. Who thought of selling crunchy, loud popcorn at the movies? Don't get me wrong. I adore popcorn, but I do go a little insane when hearing~crunch, crunch, crunch during a movie!

10. Please don't look over my shoulder when I am on the computer or reading the paper!

11. Why don't they sell the same amount of hot dogs and hot dog buns? Why???

12. Why do I even care, because hot dogs are so bad for you!

13. There will no longer be a Thursday Thirteen! Then sadness set in :o(

A DeeDee MeMe!

DeeDee made up a fun music meme that (sigh!) brings back the memories. Take a look at her list and then compare it to mine. Who do you think is a bigger dork? I think I already know the answer! If you play along please be sure and let us know so we can check out yours.

The Soundtrack Of My Life Meme

Favorite Song From Childhood: Sunshine Lady by Donny Osmond Sigh!

As soon as I would get home from school I would play this song repeatedly. I'm pretty sure he wrote it for me ;o)

Favorite High School Dance Song: Working for the Weekend by Loverboy

And yes, I even own this cd and still listen to it. Yep, I'm a geek!

Senior Class Song: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

Yeah, got this cd. I love every song on it! This one doesn't make me a dork too, does it?

Favorite Rock & Roll Song: Sail Away Sweet Sister by Queen

But you gotta play it as loud as you can with your windows rolled down! You look cool when your in a black Mustang. I don't look as cool now in my mini van!

Favorite Disco Song: C'mon Marianne by uh Donny Osmond...hehe!

And I am the proud owner of The BeeGee's greatest hits such as Staying Alive and Tragedy! I don't care if this one reveals me true freakness cause I love it!

Favorite Country Western Song: Not much of a fan, but I can remember by mom playing The Statler Brothers and I liked Counting Flowers On The Wall.

Favorite Pop Song: N'Sync's Just Got Paid

Another song I like to play loud! My girls don't even miss it when I take this cd from them. They've outgrown Justin, but I never will!


Favorite All Time Love Song: Faithfully by Journey

My hubby is a huge fan and I think he sings better than Steve Perry anyday!


Favorite Break Up Song: Goodbye To You by Scandal

Not only is it a great song to break up to, but it's got a great beat and you can really dance to it!

Favorite Make Out Song: Just about anything by Air Supply and the sexiest voice of Barry White....oh yeah!

Song That Always Makes You Cry: I Stand In Awe by Terry Franklin

This is an absolute beautiful song that my husband sang at his father's funeral. It speaks of entering Heaven.

Song That Reminds You Of Your Husband: I Will Be Here by Stephen Curtis Chapman

My sweet husband recorded this for me for our anniversary!

Favorite Christmas Songs: Mary, Did You Know by Mark Lowery and Strange Way To Save The World by 4Him

If you know anything about Mark Lowery you have a hard time imagining him writing this powerful song. Many people have sung it, but he does it the best. And 4Him is my most favorite christian group.


Favorite Gospel/Praise Song: I Will Praise You With The Dance by Casting Crowns

Favorite Ringtone on Cellphone: Canon in D Major by Pachabel

I just love this piece of music. My bridesmaids walked down the aisle to this song.

I love all kinds of music and my collection reveals my inner geek. I have all kinds of musical soundtracks, The Partridge Family, Rick Springfield, Richard Marx, The Cowsills, The Monkees, Bay City Rollers, Andy Gibb, Abba, Barry Manilow, tons of stuff from the '60s, of course my guy Donny Osmond, Cheap Trick, Scandal, ZZ Top, Van Halen, Queen, Olivia Newton-John, REO Speedwagon, Journey, The Beatles, and yes, folks, I even have several Brady Bunch cds. Yep, you read it right! And I even listen to them from time to time. Now who would you vote for Queen Freak? Need I write more?

Holy Exam Batman!

Who wants to join a club with an easy initiation? You? I thought so!

On the 17th of every month HolyMama is asking us to do a self breast exam. After we are finished we check in with her and leave a comment or two (since we have a pair...sorry!) and let her know we did it. After participating once you get a really cool button for your sidebar! Check mine out. And after your sixth time you're upgraded to a crown! I already think I am Queen so I can't wait to get mine ;o)

More importantly we are one step closer in taking better care of ourselves. We as wives, moms, daughters, grandmothers, sisters, and friends want to make sure we can do all that we can to be here for each other. My SIL has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and is going through chemo and radiation right now. What little I've seen I pray that I don't have to go through anything like it.

C'mon and join the club. If you won't do it for yourself please do it for your husband, parents, siblings, friends or children. I know they will say Thanks!

I'll leave now so you can have your privacy. And welcome to the club!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

What sound, other than the normal ringing, would you like your telephone to make?

A giggling baby~but then I wouldn't want to answer it!

Soup

Describe your usual disposition in meteorological terms (partly cloudy, sunny, stormy, etc.).

Today is going to be beautiful warm, sunny day with a 90% chance of brief rain showers that will last from the time I stand up to move until the time I sit somewhere soft! No need for a raincoat folks, but maybe a tissue or two.

Salad

What specific subject do you feel you know better than any other subjects?

Donny Osmond ;o) (sorry Pamela!)

Main Course

Imagine you were given the ability to remember everything you read for one entire day. Which books/magazines/newspapers would you choose to read?

I know I should probably say the Bible, but I like studying it and learning new things from different passages I have read before. I would say a dictionary because my vocabulary is very limited.

Dessert

If a popular candy maker contacted you to create their next confection, what would it be like and what would you name it?

It would have to melt in your mouth and keep you coming back for more. What sounds delish right now is a dark chocolate bar flavored with strawberries. I would call it Escape because it reminds me of a romantic date when you feed each other chocolate covered strawberries!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Ways My Family Helps Me Daily

1. Get the shower ready for me which includes laying down a towel inside so I don't slip and putting all my favorite soaps and shampoos and smelly things in there.

2. While I take a shower someone lays out my clothes on my bed. You wouldn't believe how many steps this saves me.

3. When I am dressed someone helps me put on my socks and shoes, usually my son because one of my daughters is like me and can't stand feet, even when they are clean!

4. I never have to worry about having something to drink nearby. They all know I love it icy cold too!

5. I'm always offered a back rub or a scratch which I willingly take because I enjoy them so much. Plus having three kids I get spoiled alot throughout the day!

6. When I have a really bad day (which lately is more often than not) someone helps me stand up so I can go to the bathroom or wherever I need to go. And they patiently walk behind me to make sure I don't fall.

7. When I go sit at the dinner table someone will take a soft blanket and put on the sit because they know how painful it is to sit on something hard.

8. They all know it drives me insane to have to sit and not be able to do any housework so they offer to "help" me get things done! This means that I get to supervise while they do all the work! They know how happy I am though to see something accomplished even if I didn't get to do it.

9. Food. Hubby cooks dinner in the evening, but throughout the day they all take turns making things for the family. I do get to help out by cutting or stirring, etc. It's a team effort.

10. Thankfully we all love to play games so we entertain ourselves often by playing boardgames or cards. We like to make up crazy rules too! Nothing is ever normal around here.

11. I love it when the girls will play their flute or clarinet for me. And my husband is the best singer ever (seriously!) so he sings to me quite often.

12. Utter silliness! They all know how much I love to laugh and will do anything to accomplish this! My son will tell jokes, my middle daughter loves to sing horribly on purpose and my oldest likes to do a silly dance that I love so much. And hubby can do impersonations, silly dances or silly walks...anything he can possibly think of to make me laugh he will do!

13. Love. Love. Love. I get so many I Love You's, kisses on my forehead and hugs a plenty all day long! It's like Valentine's Day everyday around our home!

Thank you guys for all you do for me everyday. I truly appreciate it. I love you all so very much!

Recipe For Amy's Happiness

1 layer of slush~the dirtier the better
Topped with sleet~make sure it's good and slippery
Add your choice of snow or rain~be creative and do a combo!

Two days of school cancellations
One key to unlock the snack drawer and help yourself to anything (BUT stay away from my kettle corn and Milk Duds if you want me to stay happy!)
Two televisions, one portable dvd player, and plenty of MP3 players to go around~as long as I get the one with you know who singing on it!

One happy husband who doesn't have to work and is taking it easy for a change
One daughter who has lots of library books she's been wanting to read
Another daughter who enjoys The Sound of Music more than anyone I know has the chance to watch it without interruption
Add a son who has been dying for it to snow so he can build a fort
And one happy dog that has five people to spoil her even more than she already is

This recipe is not complete without:

A hug anytime we pass each other
A few games of Canadian Racko
A dozen or more~I Love You's
A house full of laughter and singing~fighting is not an option here!
One long hot shower for each, but must get back in pajamas

I am one happy lady right now!

I Am

I am the unexpected baby born three weeks late in the middle of a hot, humid midwest summer to an anxious homemaker with a servants heart and a beaming grocery store manager with a gentle spirit.

I am daddy's little girl that worked along side him with her own hammer and a box of nails. I am mommy's little shadow that mimicked her every move who baked cakes in her Easy Bake oven.

I am the happy little girl that was never without her baby dolls because she knew she was meant to be called Mommy. My treasures of gumball machine trinkets, Cracker Jack prizes, penny candy and every Peanuts comic book imaginable were kept hidden from my brother.

I am the fearless little girl that climbed on top of houses, jumped out of swings who dreamed of becoming an Olympic gymnast and never thought she would have to forfeit her childhood at the age of ten.

I am the responsible teenager who gave up slumber parties and football games to babysit all the neighborhood children. I am the sensitive teenager that wore her heart out on her sleeve who loved the outcasts in school and who hated clicks.

I am the giggly teenager that knew it was more than Puppy Love she was feeling. I am the screaming teenager that wore purple socks to his concert that almost fainted when he sang Sunshine Lady because she just knew that he was singing it to her!

I am the struggling teenager who stayed on crutches all through high school.

I am the immature teenager that still played with dolls because I knew I was meant to be called Mommy someday.

I am the insecure woman that wondered if any man would marry her because her crippled body may not be able to have children.

I am the praying woman asking God to do His will in my life.

I am the thankful woman seeing prayers answered by meeting Mr. Right.

I am the seeking woman asking God if my dream of motherhood will come true.

I am the believing woman knowing that with God all things are possible.

I am the proud mother who loves God and praises Him for my three beautiful blessings!

I am the listening mother that loves to hear Mommy, but goes crazy by the end of the night because she's heard it one too many times!! I am the happiest Mommy when I hear daily, "I love you Mom!" by my three miracles.

I am the proud, supportive, loving wife of David. I am presidential and make important business decisions daily along side her best friend of twenty two years!

I am the laughing woman who enjoys life to the fullest. I am the appreciative woman who is thrilled with the smallest of gestures. I am the spoiled woman who prefers to try it on her own, but has a family that jumps right in and helps.

I am the tough woman who has had to fight pain daily for thirty two years. I am the sensitive woman who realizes other people face harsher challenges. I am the thankful woman that knows she is blessed beyond measure.

I am the giggly woman who still loves her teenage crush but loves her husband even more!

I am the teachable woman who longs to learn from her daily devotions who seeks Gods wisdom and prays for others.

I am the loved woman who is surrounded by a faithful husband, three courageous children and a mother with a servants heart who has just lost her gentle spirit one month ago.

I am the joyful woman whose dreams became reality fifteen years ago.

I am the anticipating woman who knows she is meant to be called Grandma someday.

But most importantly I am a saved by grace, child of the King.



Please visit Owlhaven for more!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

Have you been sick yet this winter? If so, what did you come down with?

Praise the Lord, no I have not and neither has anybody in my family!! But this cold has done a job on my bones this week. I haven't been able to go to the shop one day this week. But I did manage to get to my grandpa's funeral on Tuesday and hopefully I will be able to go to church on Sunday!

Soup

What colors dominate your closet?

Would it shock you if I told you mostly BLUE? I also have lots of shades of pink! My mother used to make me wear pink when I was young and I hated it then, but now I love it!

Salad

How would you describe your personal "comfort zone"?

The older I get the more comfortable I am anywhere. I don't mind being in the backgound and letting someone else be the star. I can get on stage and be the star. I will be the sidekick, if needed. I will take charge or I will follow orders. I will do any of this as long as I have on clothes! Just wanted to make that clear ;o)


Main Course

On which reality show would you really like to be a contestant?

Well, if I went on American Idol Simon would say, "You have got to be the worst singer I've ever heard." To which I would reply, "Oh yeah! Well when I sing praises and hymns God thinks my voice is bee-uuu-tttiiii-ffuuulll!" And he in return would say, "If you can get Him down here and He approves then I'll say yes." Then I would politely say, "Thank you Simon, but Paula and Randy have already said~You're Goin' To Hollywood!" And then I would wake up. Sigh!

Dessert

Which holiday would you consider to be your favorite?

May is Arthritis Awareness Month and I should let you know that March is National Noodle Month! You know I'm all about vermicelli, which means "little worms"! Slurp!! And you thought I was gonna say Christmas or something like that!

Thursday Thirteen~The Love Edition

Victory should not be our goal when we have an arguement with our loved one. It doesn't matter who's right or who is wrong. The key is communication. Talk over the situation at hand and come to an agreement you can both live with. Remember: it is okay to agree to disagree.
Always start your morning right with prayer, a good kiss and an I Love You!
Laughter is vital in a relationship. Spend a little time each day laughing together~not at each other.
Encourage one another often throughout the day. Let your loved one know how much you appreciate the little things they do.
Never say never in your relationship. There will be times we don't get along, but don't ever say something like, "You never listen to me!" Well, you and I both know that's not true and we are saying it out of anger. How about this instead, "Lately, I feel like you haven't been listening to what I am saying. Can we please sit down and talk about what I am feeling?" And then make sure you let them have their turn as well. They may have been thinking the same thing too!
Text them or e-mail them during the day just to say Hi and I'm thinking about you right now.
Invitation....make an invitation and invite them to a private party for two! Give them a sneak peek at what might be on the menu~I'll let you be creative on this one!
Nights can get crazy with running kids here and there or trying to keep up with household chores. Make sure you set aside at least one night each week for date night. You don't always have to go out and spend money, but figure a way that the two of you can spend at least a couple of non interrupted hours together. It will take some work, but will be worth it.
Enjoy each others hobbies. You don't always have to be directly involved, but at least show them some interest. If it is important to them it should be important to us.
Sit together often. Yes, it's fun to look into each others eyes from across the table, but it's much more fun to sit side by side and give their knee a little squeeze ;o)
Desire to know them better. You couldn't possibly know everything there is to know about each other no matter how long you're together! Ask a simple question each day and discover their most intimate thoughts!
Arrange a yearly weekend getaway to talk about your relationship, your goals for the next year and talk about the previous year~maybe there are some changes you need to make. Don't be afraid to learn from past mistakes. And definitely spend some time getting reacquainted!
You should be each others best friend! This one is easy to do if you truly love one another!

Me & My Shadow

I was a cute ten year old. I wore flowered sundresses with matching knee socks and white sandals. No fashion sense, but still cute! I was a happy kid. Always smiling, always laughing. I loved life. I loved being me.

In the fall of 1974 I had a suprise visitor. Boy was he unexpected! He quickly made himself at home. He stayed, like an unwanted visit from a relative. No matter what I did he wouldn't take the hint that he was no longer welcome.

He was my shadow and never left me alone. I was painfully aware of his presence day and night. My nightmares began before I even went to bed. There would be no escape. I was his prisoner~ sentenced to life.

He was a hard worker. His accomplishments became evident in my twisted little fingers and the prominent limp. I no longer looked like a ten year old. I had more in common with my grandma than I did my cousins.

My parents showered me with love. Not a day went by without hugs and kisses from my mom and dad. I knew I was loved.

My parents taught me respect. I found no reason to show respect to him. He was annoying. He demanded my full attention. He was cruel. He didn't deserve respect.

My parents taught me acceptance. Accept the bad with the good. Learn from it. I knew both my parents had cried over my visitor. Why would they want to accept him into our home? I didn't enjoy his company. The harder I tried to ignore the more he showed himself. I wanted to be victorious.

Fine then! I, Amy, welcome you into my home. From this day forward you and I will be friends and no longer enemies. I will call you Arthur. And Arthur, there is one thing you don't know about me yet. My God is bigger than you will ever be!

When you knock me down, He will pick me right back up. When you make me cry, He will reveal to me all my blessings. When you keep me up at night I will use that time to pray for others. When you try to anger me, He will help me laugh! You will never get the best of me because only God deserves my best.

I'm a cute 42 year old. I wear anything that fits whether it matches or not. I still have no fashion sense! I'm a happy kid. Always smiling, always laughing. I love life. I love being me!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

What was one of the fashion fads when you were a teenager?

I loved the collarless shirts! I thought they were really cute. And I remember wearing cowl neck shirts with matching vests. I looked like a DORK!

Soup

Name one thing you think people assume about you when they first meet you.

I have heard from several friends that they were afraid I was going to be a complainer when they first learned I have arthritis. They were happy when they realized that I am loud and I like to tease rather than gripe!

Salad

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how hard do you work?

Honestly, I give my all plus a little more to make it to the shop and work. On the days I can't move real well I sit on the edge of the bed and do what I can. So right now I will say a 10, but when I feel real well it goes down to about a 5 because I would so rather be doing other things than working ;o) How's that for honesty?

Main Course

If you were given a free 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl to sell anything you currently own, what would you advertise?

But I LOVE all my treasures...why would I want to sell any of it? I could never get rid of my Donny & Marie porcelain dolls, my size 6 jeans from back in the '80's that I can't even fit one leg through, my Shaun Cassidy albums, or my Tiger Beats! Nope! I see no need to advertise. And if you have any treasures you don't know what to do with I'll give you my address ;o)

Dessert

Fill in the blank: I love to give little gifts when it is unexpected.

CONTEST TIME!!

5 Minutes for Mom is having another contest and this time we have the chance to win jewelry! And all we have to do is add our name to their Mr. Linky and do a post on our blog! Now how easy is that?

Hurry! Contest ends soon and you don't want to miss out!

Letter of the Alphabet Meme!

I asked Christine to pick out my letter and she was gracious enough to give me the letter “G”! So here are 10 things that start with the letter “G” that I LOVE…! This will be so easy for me!


1. God is definitely #1 on my list! I can't do anything without Him.
2. Giggling babies are the absolute best! There are many videos on YouTube that are worth watching over and over! My favorite one is quadruplets laughing at their daddy.
3. Giraffes~that's kinda obvious I know, but they are amazing animals don't ya think?
4. Grape juice is my absolute fave! I only wish our communion cups were like 12 ounces!!
5. Goofy Girl is Great! She is a very dedicated med student who is extremely creative. She barely even knew me and I asked her to design by blog and she was sweet enough to do it for me. She loves her doggie as much as I do and takes beautiful pictures too!
6. Growling tummies~yes, it's weird, I know! I love the feeling of my tummy growling and I like to laugh at the funny sounding ones too, except when it happens during church!
7. Green Apple is my favorite Jone's soda! It's like drinking a liquid Jolly Rancher.
8. Girls in my Awana group. I teach the eight and nine year old girls on Wednesday nights and they are just so precious to me. Not only are they good listeners and hard workers, but they take good care of me too! They love to help Miss Amy when she doesn't feel well!
9. Games! I love to play board games with the family or on the Game Cube! What a great time to fellowship with friends too!
10. As I was writing my list I knew that I was going to put down my Grandpa Williams as my #10 thing I love that begins with G. Before I finished this my mom called to tell me that he passed away today. He was 102 1/2 years young! He has been blind most of his adult life, but that never stopped him from keeping his garden that was about two acres big! No, I am not kidding! He was a hard worker all his life, he was a sweet, sweet man and a wonderful grandfather. I know that today my father welcomed his dad into the kingdom of Heaven!

If you would like to play along leave me a comment and I'll give you a letter!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Reasons Why I Haven't Posted In A Few Days

1. I was swamped on Monday getting my 1099's and the W-2's done for our business! Let's just say I am no accountant so I hope I did things right!

2. Well, of course I have to read all your posts! I'd rather do that than to tell what's not going on in my life!

3. I've been at home most of the time and we only have dial up there. Man is it slow!! I usually am patient, but have been spoiled by DSL.

4. My phone has rung non-stop the past few days. It's actually driving me crazy. And they are mostly sales calls...Gggrrr!

5. My children have been extra talkative this week so that hasn't left me anytime to post. I think it would be rude to tell them to go away!

6. My hubby has been around alot and since nobody knows I do this I have to be sneaky about it! I don't usually keep things from my husband, but this is my ONE thing that is just for me.

7. I've also been very busy with Awana and getting ready for quizzing this month!

8. I've been practicing all my cheers for the Super Bowl~~Go Colts!

9. I've been working on a new trick with my dog, but she's not getting the hang of it. I'm trying to teach her to pick up things I drop and bring it to me. I'll keep trying!

10. Yesterday I spent the entire day on my bed. I woke up and just could not move anything. My shoulders were the most painful and my hips weren't cooperating either. Makes it bad when you have to go potty and you can't even get up! Let's just say I spent alot of time shaking my leg until somebody could help me up :o(

11. BUT, Praise the Lord! I am better today!!!! He is good to me because He knows how much work I have to do at the shop!

12. My mother in law stopped by this morning and took us out to lunch! Thanks Mom!

13. I've been voting at Share The Love Blog Awards! And No, I didn't vote for myself~but you can if you're so led ;o) Go check it out and vote for your favorites! There's alot of great women to vote for so it's kinda hard to decide!

To Warm Your Hearts!

C'mon, you know the words! Sing along, you know you want too! Happy Monday Everybody!!!!

Sound Byte Saturday

Looky at what I came across at Local Girl's! This GREAT idea came from Almost Somehwhat Positive. Go check it out, okay? It's gonna be fun so c'mon give it a try!

DeeDee, this is for you!

I've been having a hard time trying to figure out how to post a video and add my comments so please scroll down...Thanks!

Donny Osmond

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

If you could take lessons to learn any musical instrument, which would you want to learn?

Uh, hello? I so love the drums!!! They would drive most people crazy, but I have always loved them best. Maybe it's because I would be allowed to beat something with a stick and not get in trouble ;o)

Soup

Have you ever mistaken a person for someone else?

My hubby always makes fun of me for this one...we were boarding a plane for CA and I kept looking at the guy in front of me. Hubby starts talking to him and I am not paying attention to their conversation, but trying to figure out how I know this dude. When he starts boarding the plane I asked my husband, "Didn't we go to school with him?" Hubby laughs and says, "NO! That was Al Unser Jr. you twit!" LOL! I knew he looked familiar!

Salad

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how well do you keep secrets?

I know it's hard to believe, but I can keep this big mouth shut completely! I am definitely a 10.

Main Course

What's the closest you've ever been to a dangerous animal?

I got bit by a snake when I was five years old. It wasn't exactly a poisonous snake, but scary none the less, and painful too!

Dessert

When was the last time you lost your patience?

Yesterday was a rough day here at the shop. I don't think I exactly lost my patience. I didn't scream or yell or anything like that, but without going into details I just felt like giving up. It's rare that I ever think that way, but I had reached my breaking point. My trouble was I hadn't given anything over to the Lord at that point. I was trying to do it all myself and we know it just don't work that way, does it?!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Personal Prayer Requests

1. Mom is doing well, but please remember her these coming months.

2. My sister-in-law has stage 2 breast cancer and will be going through chemo and radiation.

3. My brother is having a rough time with dad's death. My brother is a christian, but I think he is having regrets about not spending as much time as he could with dad when he was here.

4. My Awana girls! They are eating up all the Bible stories and verses. Please pray that they come to an understanding of salvation and accept the free gift!

5. Our business. We have many cars to restore, but owning your own business is rough. Please pray for financial stability and that we find good dependable workers.

6. I usually don't like to ask for myself. I don't why I do that. This winter has been very rough so far. I have many responsibilities (I know you do too!) and so many people depend on me (which I don't mind!), but my physical needs are demanding and I am barely able to take care of myself let alone my responsibilities. I do appreciate it~Thanks!

7. My kids. Because of my health they are having extra responsibilities themselves. For right now we are doing what really needs to be done. I hope nobody stops by our house because it is not in that great of shape! But there will be clean dishes and laundry. You might see the cobwebs~please don't think it's that way all the time! How are you with a dust cloth and a new can of Pledge?

8. My mother in law needs her knees replaced, but since her daughter has cancer she is putting it off until she is well. I know her pain and I want to be there for her. She's a great mother in law and we love each other very much!

9. My mother's dearest friend, Phyllis, has many ailments that the doctors cannot figure out what is wrong. She's one of the sweetest ladies you'll ever meet.

10. The Colts~that they win the Superbowl!! Should we even pray for stuff like that?

11. My oldest daughter is trying to find a better paying job outside of Kroger. And she's taking classes at a local college. I know God's timing will work out.

12. My Uncle George had brain cancer and is doing well, but because of the chemo and radiation treatments he has many new problems. I know I shouldn't have favorites, but he is mine!

13. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Please leave me a note and let me know how I can pray for you!

Wordless Wednesday

Binder Park Zoo in Michigan feeding my babies!

Suggestions? Anybody? Please!

Well, our first snow has arrived! There is only three inches on the ground and we are expecting some more tonight after the Colts win the football game ;o) I've been wondering how the snow would affect my ability to get out and about. Guess what? I found out today that snow makes you slip and slide all over the place :o( I was hoping somebody might have a suggestion or two for me! Get your thinking caps on ladies....ready? set? go!

Here is the problem: I'm going to be using my two best friends (a.k.a crutches) for a long time. I went to church this morning and even though the place was shoveled my crutches were slipping at the slightest wet spots. And when we went to lunch later the tiles in the restaurant made for a fun time as well! In reality, it was very scary for me. If I were to start falling I am unable to catch myself because I might break one of my bionic shoulders or elbows~then I would be an even bigger mess than I am now!

I keep towels in the van so I can stand on them and scoot them as I walk, but what do I do when I need to go up a step or two? Has anybody else been in this situation before? If so, what did you do? Do you know of a special product I can use? Thanks for your thoughts!

Do You Want To Know A Secret?

Pssst! Just in case you were wondering, Donny emailed me today (I promise, he did!) and his new album is "Love Songs from the 70's"!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sigh!

The Thinkers Meme

Local Girl tagged me for this meme a while back. I've been kinda busy with stuff so I am just now doing it!

1. If you had to choose one vice in exclusion of all others what would it be?

It's sad, but true~I just love pillows! I had my daughter count them for me and I personally use 12! They come in all shapes and sizes and a lot of them are blue! I ache so bad by the time I get to bed that I make sure I have plenty to support my weary bones ;o) Plus I feel like a Queen!

2. If you could change one specific thing about the world what would it be?

Oh, there are so many things I would love to see changed. I would suggest a harsher penalty for child molesters. I remember a movie titled "I Know My First Name Is Steven". The kidnapper/molester had taken Steven when he was seven years old. Steven finally made it home when he was fourteen. The man only got 7 years for his crimes! Heartbreaking.

3. Name the cartoon character you identify with the most.

This is a hard question! I guess I would have to say Linus from Peanuts because as attached as he is to his blanket I am the same way by my pillows. I know, I know, enough about pillows already ;o)

4. If you could live one day in your life over again which one would it be?

The day we first met our girls and the day we met our son for the first time! I was on cloud nine both times so I would love to do it again! We have lots of pictures, but I would soak up every precious moment of my children!!!!

5. If you could go back in history and spend a day with one person who would it be?

There are so many amazing people I would love to meet, but since my father just passed away this week I would give anything to spend one more day with him so I could tell him again how much I love him, what a wonderful dad he is, and that we are going to be okay and we will see him soon!

6. What is the one thing you lost, sold or threw away that you wish you could have back?

Our Candy Apple Red Shelby! My husband sold it after I had my knees replaced so he could pay for my surgery! I'd give anything to be able to buy it for him again.

7. What is your one most important contribution to this world?

I just pray that maybe somebody has been able to see Christ in me.

8. What is your one hidden talent that nearly no one knows about?

I can smile and laugh when deep down I want to cry. Is that a talent?

9. What is your most cherished possession?

The few pictures I have of my children as babies. Since they were adopted I don't have much from their childhood except a couple pictures of each of them.

10. What one person influenced your life the most when growing up?

Both my folks have taught me so much. They worked hard, played hard and loved hard!

11. What one word describes you better than any other?

Patient

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

Which television shows do you just refuse to miss?

I don't get to watch television that often, but I love American Idol and I have wanted to start watching 24! I need to rent the past seasons and play catch up in my spare time~LOL!

Soup

Who did you last speak to on the telephone?

A grouchy customer who blamed me for something that was not my fault~~pouty lip :o(
Does anybody feel sorry for me? No? Oh well! It was worth a shot ;o)

Salad

How many pillows do you keep on your bed?

Haha! I don't think I can count that high!! I have massive amounts of pillows on my California King size bed! I have several small ones and then medium size soft ones and a big long body pillow and a special one that was my dad's! Can ya tell I love my pillows?

Main Course

Name one addition to your computer (software, hardware, etc.) that you'd love to have.

I'm still learning how to do stuff so I have no idea what Pamela (that's what I call her!) can even do!

Dessert

What is your favorite foreign food?

Since one of my dearest friends is from England I would have to say her Yorkshire pudding and her scones that melt in your mouth! She drove down from Pennsylvania for dad's funeral and brought me some scones just for me :o) Thank you Teresa!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Memories Of The Past Week

For those that stop today my father went to Heaven one week ago today. This will not be a sad post. I just wanted to write down my memories from the last seven days! Thank you!

1. My dad was in the nursing home just a few days before he died. We went to visit him on Sunday and he was having a great day. We brought pictures so he could look at us during the night when he got lonely. We told stories and he smiled many times. I held his hand most of the afternoon. We all told him how much we loved him and he tried to tell us the same. It was a good day for all of us.

2. I was notified at 12:23 am by Lisa at the nursing home that dad had just passed away. Why they called me instead of my mom I just don't know. It took me asking a few times if this was for real until I believed her. I had my husband tell them not to call my mother. I thought that was something my brother and I should do.

3. I arrived at the nursing home about 12:45 am. I was the first one there. At first I was afraid to go see my dad, but then I took a deep breath and said a prayer. I knew I had to see him. He was at peace! Honestly, I hadn't seen him looking so well in such a long time. No more tubes, or machines! No more struggles! PTL! I loved on him and told him I loved him one more time.

4. My mom and brother arrived shortly after that. My mom said the same thing I did. It's very hard to see the love of your life like that, but we rejoiced together because we knew at that very second Dad was with God! We cried tears of sadness and tears of joy at the same time.

5. The next few days were busy making final arrangments for the funeral. My pastor asked each of us to write out memories we wanted to share. My kids each shared a different memory and I, being the big mouth of the family, wrote two pages worth! At first it was difficult to write, but I am so thankful I had the opportunity to tell people what I loved most about my father. I was able to write about his humor, his gentleness and his courage!

6. We were supposed to have nasty weather on that Monday and we prayed and prayed for it to hold off. We had many people coming from hundreds of miles away. The Lord provided and it only rained that day. Our snow and ice came the next morning!

7. Monday was the calling and the funeral. My family picked mom up and we got to the funeral home early so we could see dad again. When we walked in we were surrounded by dozens and dozens and dozens of flower bouquets!! How did I forget that people would be sending flowers and plants and even blankets? Yes, blankets! I guess it's a new thing to do. The flowers kept coming in while we were waiting for the calling to start. The comunity loved my dad and it showed!

8. Dad did look very nice I must say. My brother bought him a blue suit and I bought him the tie to match. It was a deep blue with some little black print on it. They didn't over do him with makeup either. He looked like my dad!

9. So many people came that day. My friends from Pennsylvania drove down for the day. People that I had not seen in years came. People I had no clue who they were came! People from our church and people from Kroger. So many people loved my dad! I was told over and over how well respected he was and how kind also. I've even heard from a man that dad fired once that it was the nicest firing he ever got ;o) Dad didn't have a mean bone in his body. He had severl ornery ones, but no mean ones!

10. Pastor Jim read our memories for us and reminded us of all the great things dad had accomplished! And Pastor Steve did a wonderful salvation message! Just what dad wanted. And my husband and my bestest friend's husband sang Calvary Covers It All. That was one of dad's favorite hymns. And the funeral home taped everything. Mom is finding comfort by listening to it everyday.

11. My brother cried alot, and so did mom. I managed to be the strong one that day. I felt I needed to be for mom. We've cried alot together this past week, don't get me wrong. I just wanted to be strong and talk to all those that came if mom wasn't able to at the time. My son, who helped grandma take care of dad hasn't shed a tear. And that is okay! He knew more than anybody how much dad suffered and he is celebrating in knowing where dad is!

12. Mom and I are getting stacks and stacks of cards everyday. The outpouring of love is amazing! And my mom is also getting monetary donations from all over the place. We tend to hear how greedy people are, but not in this case. Or Kelli's either! It's amazing, isn't it?

13. I've only known many of you for a few short months, but you have taken the time to send words of encouragement and to tell me you were praying for my dad and my mom and even for me. I was a stranger, but yet you showed such love and concern. I just want to say thank you from me and my folks. I love you guys!

Wordless Wednesday

Not the best picture, but a couple of weeks ago our friends got a tumbleweed storm instead of a snowstorm! Yikes!

WFMW

I know many of us are trying to watch our weight so bear with me. I make tons of snack foods for my hubby to enjoy as he watches the superbowl~Go Colts! I came across this easy, easy fudge recipe right before Christmas and made a variety of flavors for gifts. I'll list the different varieties at the end of the post!

1 16 ounce can of frosting
1 12 ounce bag of baking chips
Nuts ~ optional

Put the two ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds. Pour into a slightly sprayed 8 x 8 pan. Chill for one half hour and cut into squares. See? Isn't that easy? And it really is delish!

Peanut Butter Fudge ~ vanilla frosting, peanut butter chips
Chocolate Fudge ~ dark chocolate frosting, semi sweet chocolate chips
Chocolate Covered Cherry ~ cherry frosting, semi sweet chocolate chips
Chocolate Covered Strawberries ~ strawberry frosting, semi sweet chocolate chips
Peppermint Fudge ~ chocolate frosting, Andes mint baking chips
Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge ~ chocolate frosting, peanut butter chips

The list could go on and on, but you're a smart bunch so you get the idea! Please if you try it and like it let me know! And I would love to hear more great concoctions too :o) Your hubbies are going to love it~I promise!

Happy Wednesday!

A Little Can Do So Much!

Boomama like many other bloggers loves Kelli. She is a jewel. I don't know how else to sum it up. She needs our help and it will cost us very little. Donations are anonymous. Go to Boomama's if you can donate $1.50 or more to help with Kelli's hospital expenses. She needs a kidney transplant. She is very ill, but is still thinking of others first! If you can help, please do. If not, please keep her in your prayers! Thank You!

In Loving Memory Of James Evans Williams, Sr.

December 8, 1936-January 11, 2007

Wordless Wednesday

My hubby is paying homage to the first Mustang ever built!

Another Tag 4 Me

Annamary tagged me for 5 things you may not know about me. Considering I just did my 100th post this is going to be tough, but it's fun to be tagged and I do not want to disappoint so here goes nothing!

1. When I was in grade school I absolutely loved using that really cool colored paper! Oh how I loved the hot pink, the fluorescent orange and green and of course my favorite~the bright blue! We didn't have much money when I was a child, but mom knew how I loved this paper so every school year she made sure she bought me a package. Well, I found some the other day! I bought a package and put it in a three ringed binder and am reliving my childhood :o) Oh how I wish I had homework to do! I'm just enjoying looking at it again! Boy, my life sounds sad doesn't it? I've said it once and I'll keep saying it~It doesn't take much to thrill me! OBVIOUSLY!

2. I pray for people when I am in the shower! Hey now! Don't get all creeped out~that is the only time I can find for myself nowadays. Seriously! I have a horrible voice so I shouldn't sing, not even in the shower. Plus I am a big girl so I have plenty to wash which takes a while so why not use that time to do two good things?!

3. I was a sweet little girl. I was so naive too. When I was in third grade my group of friends asked me if I knew what the "F" word meant. Well, I had never heard it before and had no idea that it was bad. I told them no and they just laughed at me! Right before recess I marched right up to my teacher and said, "Mrs. Huess? Do you know what "F" means?" She gasped and asked where I had heard such a word. I pointed to my three friends and said "They wanted to know!" I was allowed to go to recess and my three friends had to stay inside the rest of the day. I never learned what it meant until I was a teenager.

4. Speaking of which...what possessed me to do this I have no idea, but my mom didn't let me do something I wanted to and I was a little miffed at her. I still didn't know what that word meant mind you. I never held a grudge, but for some reason that day I wanted to get back at her! I thought, "I'll show her!" So I took a big fat pencil and went to the garage where she had a cabinet full of canned goods. I wrote in BIG LETTERS that dirty word! I wrote it as big as I could so it would still look like a word. I wanted her to see it!!! Ahh, I felt better after doing it. That evening went mom went to get in the cabinet she saw it! She came in madder than I had ever seen her before! My heart skipped a beat! I heard her tell my father that those rotten neighborhood boys had come into the garage and wrote that awful word. Yay! I was not a suspect!!!! I was so happy and fancy free that I had gotten away with it! UNTIL......later that night mom was putting away some of my school things. I must have practiced writing that word on some notebook paper because mom asked me if I was the one that did it! Muah? Why all of the sudden is she asking me? I start to sweat and sheepishly say yes. But being the saint that mom is she explained what it meant and why I should never ever say it or write it again. WHEW!

5. I'll end with a weird one. I used to have a parrafin bath for when my hands and wrists were hurting real bad. My favorite thing to do was dip my fingers in the wax and put a little wick on the end of each one. I would dip my fingers a couple of more times and then light each wick. I was a human candle :o) This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.......!!

I won't tag anyone because I think we have all done this at one time or another. Your Welcome!

A Quick Note!

Just stopping by to say HI to everybody. It's been a busy week as some of you know. My dad is out of the hospital and was moved to a nursing home yesterday.

It was so hard for my mom to leave him last night. They haven't spent one night apart for four or five years now. Mom called me last night just bawling and I felt so, so bad for her. I can understand some, but not completely even though he is my dad. We just sat on the phone together crying with each other. I finally mustered up the strength to say that we would pray all not long and that if she needed anything to call no matter what time it was.

Because my dad can't comunicate they have put him in a room right next to the nurses station. We stopped by after church today and he was in good spirits! His room mate is a Jewish doctor that has Alzheimer's. He doesn't say much either so I think they will be good room mates.

We've been having dad blink his eyes to answer our questions and today we were talking about me as a child. I promise, I was a sweet little thing! But now that I'm older I'm kind of a stinker. The kids asked grandpa to blink if I was an ornery child and he purposely blinked hard over and over! We all laughed~except for me~I was mad~kidding!

We're at our shop right now taking pictures of all of us so we can hang them on dad's wall. We even have a picture of Wensley~his favorite granddaughter ;o) We always take a nice picture and then a silly one! We're a strange family!

Well, it's time for me to go smile and say CHEESE! Hugs to anyone that stops by today!

Love, Amy

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

Which celebrity (or celebrities) do you think will make headlines this year?

I am sure Donny Osmond will make national headlines when he whisks me away for a romantic wedding in the Swiss Alps. He has everything arranged so I have to do nothing~nada~zilch!

Okay peeps, I've snapped back to reality!

Soup

They say that good things come in small packages? What is something little that you think is great?

I love little things! I'm sure many people will say this, but babies are the best things ever! Junior humans are cool!

Salad

Name songs that makes you want to dance.

Bon Jovi's~It's My Life
Scandal's~Goodbye To You (I'm dating myself here!)
N'Sync~Just Got Paid (Sorry, I have teenage daughters)

Oh, I could go on and on....but I'll spare you the torture! Oh I just thought of one more, but i don't know who sings it....It's Raining Men!! That's a fun song!

Main Course

What is your favorite font?

As a matter of fact it's the one I'm using right now~Georgia

Dessert

If you were to write a do-it-yourself article, what would it be about?

Heehee....I love the two boys (ages 24 and 25) that work for us. The one thing I teach them to do as soon as they start working at our shop is to suck up to me big time! They both love to be in competition with each other to see who is my favorite guy for they day! They'll do anything I ask! Hey, when you are together as much we are we'll do anything to make each other laugh!

So my book would be How To Train Your Employees To Worship The Ground You Walk On!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Ways My Friends Know I Love Them

1. Pray for them. This is of course the first and most important thing you can do for anybody!

2. Pick on them! I think this is the second most important thing ;o) Kidding!

3. Listen. I am a there for you 24 hours a day girlfriend!

4. Babysit their children (free of charge!) so they can have one on one time with their spouse. While I would love to be the one hanging out with them I think this is a top priority as well!

5. I am not a gossip. What I mean by this is that I will listen to you share your heart and it won't go anywhere. I also mean that I will not talk about others behind their backs. If it is meant to be shared then I will let that person tell you!

6. Buying little gifts. I try to remember when I go shopping with a friend and they happen to say, "Oh, I love that bookmark! or Mmmm, that's my favorite kind of candy!" It doesn't have to be big it just shows you listen.

7. I guess in keeping with #6 I love to make up little care packages, specially to my college age friends. It's so much fun to get a box filled with treats!

8. Did I mention pick on them? I am a terrible tease and I can bring out the ornry (spell ?) side of even the most prim and proper of my friends...heehee!

9. They can belch in front of me and I won't even give it a thought!

10. This is hard, but my friends have done me this favor as well. If we get to out of line with complaining or whining we tell each other to stop! We remind each other of how blessed we are and look at the positives!

11. If they get a scary looking haircut or have on an ugly dress I won't lie and tell them how great they look! I really have no room to talk anyway because I am in no way a fashion queen!

12. I have two great bionic shoulders to cry on and I always carry tissues! I have two arms to give bear hugs. I have two hands to give high fives or a pat on the back for a job well done!

13. I also have a mouth that isn't scared to say I LOVE YOU! And I say it often!

Much Prayer Needed Please!

My father has Parkinson's with autonomic failure.

"Autonomic failure is a very tough disease that kills and devastates the lives of thousands of people," says Roy Freeman, assistant professor of neurology at the Medical School. "Without treatment, every vital function eventually stops working."

Autonomic failure is a progressive deterioration of the nervous system that controls such involuntary but vital functions as heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing, and bowel and bladder functions. It is common among elderly people with a variety of diseases including diabetes, Parkinson's, and some less-well-known maladies.

Dad has had this disease for almost five years now. The doctors have all said he is the worst case they have ever seen. He went downhill almost immediately. He didn't get to spend his retirement like he thought he would. He loved to travel, tinker around the garage, spend time with his grandkids and be involved at church. Instead he has spent the last few years inside his home. The only travelling he has done is to and from the hospital. He has got to spend alot of time with my kids though! Just not in the way he had hoped.

But dad has never complained~not even once. He is a fighter. For a soft spoken, gentle caring man he is very tough. He is the bravest man I know.

Every day brings a new problem for dad. Every day brings a new challenge for mom to take care of. She is his constant companion and nurse. She never leaves his side unless one of us comes over so she can take her shower. She loves him more than anything. It's obvious the way she rubs his head and kisses him every few minutes telling him what a wonderful husband he is and what a good provider he has always been. She reads the Bible to him everyday. They listen to hymns. They watch games shows together. They listen to audio books often. Dad even likes Lori Wick novels! Mom has done her very best. She is very tough. And she is the bravest woman I know.

This past week has just brought on too many new challenges for mom, my family and the hospice nurse (that only gets to some once a week) to take care of dad. His bed sores on his bottom have gotten (is that a word?) so bad and now he has diarrhea . Today brought on yet another problem.

My dad went to the hospital today by ambulance. He will be in the hospital a few days so they can try to get his sores a little better, his bowels under control, his blood pressure up, his temperature down, and the list goes on and on.

When (or if) he gets out he will be going to a nursing home. My mom says she can stay with him from early morning to late at night. This was a tough decision for her I know. I guess because we know that he won't be coming home again. Oh, I know I don't know the future. Only God knows. I know He can still perform miracles, but I also am in touch with reality.

Please just be in prayer for my family at this time. If you've faced this same situation then you know exactly how to pray. If you haven't, than just please pray for God's will to be done in this situation. Pray for my mom to know that she has done her very best. Pray that my dad is comfortable. Pray that I can be strong for the both of them. My heart is aching and I can barely breathe today.

Thank you.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillians 4:13