Winter storm in the Midwest

Here in the Midwest we are experiencing a very nice winter storm. Right now, outside the snow is falling steadily and in every direction at the same time. It's really very beautiful to see! Although, looking at it makes me want to go digging under our bathroom vanities for the big jug of body lotion to soothe my dry itchy skin from the cold air that comes with it :)

Weather like this always reminds me of being a kid. Those mornings you'd wake up to find tons of inches of snow had fallen (remember how things seemed when you were young) and you'd beg your parents to let you go out and play in it. I remember being so cold and wet...my thighs were fire red and almost frozen solid! It always took a very long time to get warm again but it was worth it!

There was a big high school across the street from our house and there were a few places we could go sledding that were ok with mom's rules for not going too far away. It was just a 'given' that all the neighborhood kiddos would gather in this one place to begin the task of carving out the perfect rut. There was a large concrete embankment with stairs on either side and if there was enough snow coverage, it provided the best environment for sledding fun! You could get up some serious speed and at the bottom we would create a hump that would cause you to go up in the air! Admittedly...sometimes this part didn't work out so well. Ahhh.....good times!

Unfortunately, the winter storm I referred to above as 'nice' will be turning naughty later on tonight. They are predicting an additional delivery of snowfall that could result in up to 7 more inches on top of what we end up with today. Ugh! It's times like these I wish I didn't have to worry about having to get out and drive in it to go to work and just throw on 8 layers of clothes and grab a big red plastic disc and find a big hill!!!

This world is not my home...

Acts 17:24-25 (NKJV)
God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.

Give Me Five Monday Meme #11

Monday, January 28, 2008

The 'Give Me Five' Monday meme is designed to share fun information with each other in a simple short list! Here's how it works. Each week, I will put out a random topic from my list of topics and you share 5 answers of your choice on the given topic and link back here! You can add photos, links or stories or just a simple list of your own of 5 things that relate to the topic as it pertains to you and your life experiences. It doesn't have to be in any order of importance unless otherwise specified.
Sign up for weekly reminder emails @ beccagirl@charter.net


Give Me Five vacation destinations you've already enjoyed or would like to some day.

I love to travel, that's no secret around here! No time to sit around enjoying my home theater furniture, I love to get out and see the sights! I have been a few places already but honestly, there are so many places I still want to go, I want to go everywhere! Plus, I want to go back to some of the places I've already gone! Here we go:

1. Atlantis, Paradise Island-Nassau, Bahamas-I have been there 2 times before and I immediately fell in love! There are sooooo many things to do and see and smell and taste and hear! I would consider this definitely to be a place I can't wait to go back to. At the time, it was (and may still be for all I know) the world's largest outdoor marine habitat. You can just be walking along and stumble upon a pool of sea turtles or a tank of sharks. You will have to visit the Atlantis website to get an inkling of a taste of some of the amenities they offer. Atlantis also has many works of glass art by Chihuly to be enjoyed. I even have a book on just the Chihuly instillations. When I visited there were 11 pools and lagoons to enjoy, a golf course, a spa, restaurants, high end retail shops, a casino, fountains, art, a lagoon bar, hot tubs built into the landscaping, a marina, water slides, underwater trails and aquariums, outdoor live music, beautiful landscaping and fantastic architecture and more...Oh yeah, plus a beautiful beach front!!! Fantastic...if you ever get a chance to visit, even for the day, DO! They have added many new things since I was there in 2001. I can't wait to go again!


2. Baltimore, Maryland-I've been there several times to visit my friend A. I will visit there again once they have returned to the States from their 3 year work related stay in England. My favorite thing to do there so far is the Inner Harbor in Balto. The National Aquarium in Baltimore is there and is so unique! There are shops and restaurants and a science center which I haven't visited yet, but intend to maybe next time through. Lots of fun in Balimer.

Me @ villa for my cooking class in Florence, Italy

3. Italy-This was a short trip to Florence but I pray it wasn't the last trip I get to make there! I had a great time and saw such beautiful sights! And the food...the FOOD! I know the rest of Italy has more to offer, so yes, I will want to go back again and again to different places all around Italy. I would really like to go and take more cooking classes it was sooo fun and informative!

Me @ Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England

4. England-I've only been once but there are so many reasons to go back! It was such a treat to go and learn about the way life is there. For instance, the roundabouts. I wish we had some here. They keep the flow of traffic moving instead of sitting at red lights waiting for no reason. Also, I love the beauty that was everywhere! I was pleasantly surprised to find such a variety of trees and the lush green hills that roll into the next and so on. The architecture is fantastic and all the many castles just waiting to be explored! Every turn provides a new fun adventure! Lots to do...would love to return and discover more places I missed on my first visit.


5. New York City, New York-This is a destination I have not yet enjoyed. The closest I have been is seeing the skyline from the air a few times when I went to England. I cannot wait to go! My friend A has already said that when they are back from England and I come to visit them in Maryland, we can take a long weekend and travel the couple of hours up to New York!!! I can't wait, I'm sure once I go I will want to return. I'd love to live there someday even if it's just for 3 or 4 years, but I really think I would like it. It's a place filled with so much history and you can just see any number of weird or interesting or fun things just by walking down the streets! Yes, I'd love to see New York many times. For me, it's the highest place on my list of destinations. It even tops Hawaii! Although, Hawaii is a very close second.Give Me Five Participants

1. Skittles 2. Mom Knows Everything 3. Mama Pajama 4. Comedy Plus 5. Misty\'s Words 6. Kwizgiver

7. maryt/theteach 8. Julie 9. Sandy M 10. Stacey 11. forgetfulone 12. Anna

13. Tamy ~ 3 Sides of Crazy 14. Tina Kubala 15. Lucky13 16. Cathie

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It's that time again

Time to be getting back on track with my finances! Did you know, I *almost* missed my first payment on my new tires! That would have totally destroyed my 90 days same as cash agreement! I wouldn't even want to think about what the consequences are for that....Woo!

So how are you doing with your financial budgeting and planning? It seems lately I keep hearing about financial troubles all around me. There's a great show on Bott Radio Network. It comes on around 2:30 in the afternoons here in the Central Standard Time zone. You should totally check it out. I have gotten some really great info on there about how to be a good steward of my money, the best way to pay things off and really make my money work for me!

I have the book "The Money Map" so I think I will make a point of reading it now. LOL I need some serious help. I need to start thinking of ways to increase my income and decrease my expenses. Ah, the first key to my future financial success! If you have read this book, what did you think of it? Did you find it helpful? As I read through it, I will make posts of things I learn or find particularly helpful.

Thinking Thursday

I like to use Google Images searches to find many of the photos I share on this blog. You can get quite creative in the way you interpret an idea through photos. I have always loved photography so sharing photos of ideas, feelings and thoughts that are floating around in your head seems kinda in line with me, so why not? A new weekly post is born! Like older ladies to Lillian Vernon coupons, I am to photos and sharing! I would love this to inspire you to share what's going on in your head. You can simply share photos or even elaborate on them if you want to share the detailed thoughts with others or keep them guessing! Thanks for visiting and feel free to participate as well! If you do, leave me your link so I can come see your Thinking Thursday thoughts! Now, without further ado, here are some thoughts floating around in my mind today:

Heads or Tails #22- The 5 Senses

Today's Heads or Tails from Barb over at Skittle's Place is on the 5 Senses.

Hmmm...Let me think about this one....Ok, I got it!

Hindsight is always 20/20.

Nothing beats the smell of a clean new baby.


I love to hear the ocean.

The best tastes are made with love.

God touched my heart & life and now I'm His!

Give Me Five Monday Meme #10

Monday, January 21, 2008

The 'Give Me Five' Monday meme is designed to share fun information with each other in a simple short list! Here's how it works. Each week, I will put out a random topic from my list of topics and you share 5 answers of your choice on the given topic and link back here! You can add photos, links or stories or just a simple list of your own of 5 things that relate to the topic as it pertains to you and your life experiences. It doesn't have to be in any order of importance unless otherwise specified.
Sign up for weekly reminder emails @ beccagirl@charter.net


Give Me Five 'favorite searches' on Ebay (for shopping or browsing or any other ideas not selling related)!

I enjoy shopping and browsing on ebay when I can and thought, what a great topic for Give Me Five! I don't usually buy clothes or especially shoes, I am waaaaaay too much of a 'try-er on-er' for that, but there are many other things ebay offers up for my shopping curiosities among other things...

1. I love to get ideas from ebay. I would never try to make money from these ideas, but sometimes they can be helpful when I'm trying to play a shower or favors for women's luncheons or various other creative projects that come up from time to time. Sometimes you can find parts of your centerpieces for the tables and so on! Other people have great ideas and it helps my creative juices to get going too. Sometimes I'll see one thing and it sparks my mind in a new direction and the end results are always fun and enjoyed by everyone!


2. One of my favorite searches is for "ruthin castle". I know, off the wall right? Ruthin Castle is in Wales and I visited there last year. My saved search checks everyday for new items listed with 'ruthin castle' in the title and you'd be surprised at all the different items that pop up. Obviously the search goes for days with no new results but that's what makes it so exciting when I get that daily email of my favorite searches and there's one listed for Ruthin castle. I was lucky enough one time to win an actual room key from the hotel inside the castle where we stayed!


3. I have become a fan of 'Nigella Lawson' who has a cooking show on Food network called Nigella Express. Her show is out of England and is very fun and interesting. It only airs once a week here in the states (that I know of) and is a half hour show. Admittedly, she makes many dishes that I would never care to try but it's her delivery and poise and eloquence that keeps me coming back for more every week! Ok, that and the eggs. When she cooks with eggs, I am reminded of the gorgeous golden yokes of the English eggs I enjoyed on my vacation last year. I've been going on and on about the eggs so much that every time my friend and I watch Nigella who also goes on and on about them, she says she wants to visit England just to try the eggs! Nigella has a very handy wisk that I picked up for myself and my friend when I visited England last year from Harrod's. Of course you can purchase them online, if you can't make the trek across the big pond yourself.


4. 'At Home America' is another favorite search of mine. I have a friend who sells it and so I keep my eyes out for great deals on items from the past as well as great buys to pick up from the current catalogs.


5. I also have 2 different searches going right now for Arbonne products that have been discontinued that I really liked. It's nice to have the system find items for you and bring them right to your email's inbox. Also, it's nice to have the system to even remember to search for me! Going browsing on ebay isn't something I do everyday by no means, so this helps me 'be good' in those terms as well.

If you don't currently utilize the 'favorite searches' section of ebay, you may be missing out on some really special items, so be sure to give it a try if you haven't already!!Give Me Five Participants

1. Comedy Plus 2. Mama Pajama 3. Julie

4. Mom Knows Everything 5. Misty Dawn 6. Anna

7. maryt/theteach

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2 New Grey Poupons- A review

Recently I was asked to try and give an honest review of the two new Grey Poupon varieties of mustard. First I would like to share a little mustard story or two with you. That's right, mustard stories!

Once, a long, long time ago, I prepared and brought Deviled eggs to a barbecue at a friend's house. You should probably know that I use a bit of regular mustard along with plenty of Grey Poupon in my recipe for deviled eggs. I happen to like the kick it adds to the yokes and mayo to create the perfect egg. Well, I apparently got a little excited with the Grey Poupon mustard and over spiced the eggs to everyone else's taste, except my own, of course. My friends all tried to accuse me of attempting to assassinate them with mustard. After this, mustard of any kind was dubbed 'Becca Sauce' in my circle and everyone would remind me of my attempt on their very lives at every possible convenience. The legend has died down a bit now but every now and then, I get a little reminder.

One day a few years later, I was visiting a friend who had a very young daughter. She was probably 2 1/2 or so...she came around the corner into the living room with a bottle of mustard mumbling something in the most angelic precious voice you can imagine this side of heaven which I had to ask her to repeat a couple of times before I could make out that she was saying, "Becca? You sauce?" Once I figured it out...they had sent her in there loaded with that mustard and the gentle reminder and had put her up to it! That's just wrong, using an innocent child to bring up the past! It happened before she was born! LOL

So needless to say, I was all too excited to be included in a product review to try out these two new varieties of Grey Poupon. The one on the left in this photo is made with whole seeds. Admittedly, I was reluctant to try this one because it seemed sorta chunky but once I did, I have to say it wasn't so bad. Sometimes I have textural issues...but this one wasn't too shabby.

The one to the right is made with tiny little bits of onion! It adds a sort of sweetness to the mustard and really gets your sandwich going! I've enjoyed my turkey sandwich with the spicy mustards! So if you already enjoy Grey Poupon, why not give these new flavors a try?

Share your prayer!

This is taken from my church blog:

Greetings one and all!

This is BeccA and you are reading my inaugural post here on the Valley View blog. I certainly hope to be contributing more in the future. Writing has always been a special treat to me. I mean really, it’s basically talking in written form and as you know, I always have *something* to say!

2008 is well under way and we have lots of fun and exciting things going on in our little church at the top of the hill. Next Monday night is our Family Bowling night and I am really looking forward to it. It’s a great opportunity to have some fun times with our church family! We are all relational beings by divine design and a lot can be gained by fellowshipping with those who share a common bond. So bring the kiddos and come on out to Imperial Bowl @ 6:30 on Monday Jan. 14, 2008. I hope to see you there!

I was thinking about what I could contribute to this blog in my signature creative and fun way. From time to time I have different ideas and think this would be a good platform to share them! God has really moved in my life over the past 2-3 years. This has coincided with joining Valley View and that in and of itself, I feel, was guided by His will as well. I’ve grown in ways I didn’t know I could. There has been much healing of hurts as well as an uncountable measure of knowledge gained through sermons, studies, classes and time spent with other members! I am not saying there isn’t still plenty to discover along the long road in my quest to draw closer to God but I do feel like I am on a good path and heading in the right direction. With God’s grace I will continue to grow!

In today’s busy world, it’s growing increasingly harder to keep up with all of the going ons of our friends and family. We have good intentions of remembering them in our prayers but from time to time we find ourselves remembering too late or after the fact. I feel frustrated that I didn’t remember something important happening to someone I care about! After all, if it were me having surgery or something, I’d want them to remember me in prayer! In an effort to rectify this frustration, for me, I’ve learned that I should just do something right when I think about it, even if it’s before said event.

Let’s take that up to another level, which brings me to the idea behind this post. ‘Share your prayer!’ In today’s high tech world, you can certainly find some form of written communication via email, texting or instant messaging. I decided to put my prayer into this form. “What do you mean, God doesn’t have a cell phone!?” What I’m saying is this: at the same time you are praying to God, go the extra step and type, text or journal it out. Then send it to your friend! It’s actually a very personal way to let them see that you are praying for them and what you are actually praying on their behalf. Our prayers are important not only for those we are lifting up but they mean alot to God as well. Even so that the bible tells us in Revelation 8:3-4, the prayers of the saints are burned with incense up to God!

So the next time you have these things on your mind, take a moment to share your prayer with the individuals themselves. I’m sure they will appreciate your words of faith and love and praises that you’ve expressed to God with their need or situation in mind, I know I would! Just stick to the subject at hand and try not to expound on outside issues or your prayers for other people. It’s not a show and tell people!

Until next time…thanks for reading! Feel free to leave comments, maybe you have ideas you’d like to share too!

=============
(For the Proverbs 31 investigators, as stated above, this post is written by me and also posted over at my church's website in the 'Blog it' section found here. I retain all the rights to the post and this is me giving you permission to use it. I realize it will need to be edited to exclude the bowling and such :) Also, I could expound the topic a bit if need be. The meat of it is only about 350 words or so.)

Here is an example of a recent prayer email to a friend:

I just wanted to come to you right now and lift up my friend 'T'. As you know she's going to have a very important surgery tomorrow morning on her back. Lord, I just pray that you are with the doctors and nurses who will be taking care of her and altering her body in an effort to correct some of the damage from this illness. I know you are gracious and loving and you have all the power to make sure the outcome is successful for her. Her recovery will be long but sometimes we have to go through the pain to get to the reward!

You are perfect and holy and worthy of all praises and we thank you for sharing your love with us even when we don't deserve it! "Who is like you, o Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" Thank you so much for sharing your Son with us and His offering on the cross to make atonement for our transgressions. He is the only way to you and how blessed we are to see the path!

You are the Great Physician and that's why I'm praying for your will to be done for 'T's back situation from here on out! Thank you for bringing special people in our lives who look past the filth of our mistakes to see that you are here in us and worth caring about. I ask all these things in Jesus' name, Amen!

Heads or Tails #21 - The letter "C"

Today's Heads or Tails brought to us by Barb, is anything we want to do or say about the letter "C". I can't pass this one up!

First, I must say this: Counting calories is crazy conversation!

Ok, not that that is out of the way, let's continue! I can't think of anything more worth sharing than a clever little collection of photos with a message. So clean off your computer screen and see if you can figure it out from these cunning shots. There is something in each one that starts with a "C". Can you find them all? Bear with me, I'm being very cheesy.

1.

2.
3.
4.5.

Answers: 1. Christ, 2. Cash, 3. Cross, 4. Cover, 5. Call (box, call box, I know...)

The moral of the story is? Christ came to pay the ultimate price on the cross to cover my sins and create the only true path to God so we can certainly be with them for eternity! All I have to do is call on His Holy name!

Eh? Pretty clever, huh? I can't complain about it! I know, I'm completely crazy!

Give Me Five Monday Meme #9

Monday, January 14, 2008

The 'Give Me Five' Monday meme is designed to share fun information with each other in a simple short list! Here's how it works. Each week, I will put out a random topic from my list of topics and you share 5 answers of your choice on the given topic and link back here! You can add photos, links or stories or just a simple list of your own of 5 things that relate to the topic as it pertains to you and your life experiences. It doesn't have to be in any order of importance unless otherwise specified.
Sign up for weekly reminder emails @ beccagirl@charter.net


Give Me Five things you like and/or dislike about your job.

1. I really enjoy working with numbers! I work for an accounting and tax service and I have had a great time organizing mathematical messes and making things balance. You can really tell alot about what's going on by seeing where people spend their money. Numbers really intrigue me and keep you on your toes. It's fun to use my computer to create spreadsheets and such. I am also the unofficial IT person here in our office so it's my job to keep us up to date and up and running smooth. Like if we needed HDMI products, I'd be the one shopping and installing all of it. Thank goodness I have a friend to get advice from :)


2. My boss is a pretty good guy. I am always late, like everyday late and as long as I make my time up, he doesn't fuss too much. He's quite the character and has no backbone when it comes to certain things, he just wants to be known as a good person. I think people take advantage of him...like me :( But I do make up my time, it's not like I just show up when I want and leave when I want and put in 30 hours and expect to be paid for 40. Also, he's easy to laugh and carry on with when there's no clients in the office. I also enjoy that he is very very flexible when it comes to me taking time off. I know what I have to get done at work and when I have to do everything and I try to work around that schedule but with that in mind, I can usually call him the night before or even let him know the day of that I need to leave early or be off and he almost always answers with "Whatever you need to do." Thanks, boss!


3. I dislike my salary right now. I haven't had a raise in about 4 years and it's beginning to take it's toll. Things are really strapped around our office especially at this time of the year. It makes me so nervous when there's talk that our payroll checks might bounce! But my boss has been a very generous person in the past when he can be.


4. I like that I pretty much do my own thing at work. What I mean by that is, I decide what I'm working on and when I'm working on it. From time to time we do have special projects to do which require me to work within a specific time frame but for the most part, I work at my own pace. I wouldn't enjoy a job where I had a certain quota to meet or had someone looking over my shoulder prodding me along.


5. I love living so close to work. I work about 3 1/2 miles from my office and it takes me about 8 minutes to get there, depending on which lights I get caught at. It's great, especially if I forget something and have to go back home or the office, whichever the case may be.

Biggest Loser - Couples Week 2

Season 5 - Couples

"What have you done for me, to make me feel proud?"

Man, I love this show!!! And watching them every week makes me want to stock up on a variety of fitness equipment so I can get a decent workout at home!

Last week, week 1, introduced us to all the couples which included a couple who had never met before. After a couple of tasks & challenges, including an initial up hill climb for the right to have your choice of trainers between Bob and Jillian. They also raced along a flat course while contending with a giant balloon navigating around obstacles as fast as they could back over the finish line. The first team to go home was a father and daughter team, the green team. I felt bad for the daughter because she was really into it and felt like she needed to stay but her father didn't seem to be in the same place mentally.

Lynn and Jennifer were voted off and sent home. I hope you can stay with it and have success at home!!

This week, week 2, the couples had to ride a ginormous see saw 100 times up and down finishing the fastest to win the challenge! I'm sorry but that looked like wicked fun! I really like it how some of the couples went on and finished the challenge even after the 1st team had already taken the prize. The reward was the privilege of calling home which everyone wanted to do. This week my emotions during the show were as up and down as that see saw challenge! Some contestants ate during the temptation but over all they did ok for the most part. The biggest shocker of the night was when everyone went up to weigh, with the exception of only a very few people, everyone lost such small amounts of weight. 0, 1, 2, 4 pounds, for a whole week! And we saw them working out and sweating...it doesn't make much sense. Bob and Jillian teamed up to train as a duo this week, but honestly, I can't imagine how that would negatively affect the weigh in. Someone should school me if I'm wrong here. Falling below the yellow line and subsequently being voted off to go home this week was the married couple making up the brown team.

Curtis and Mallory, keep up the good work at home, you can do it!!!

Cross it off the list!

I'm getting things done on my big list so I'm here to cross them off! I'm beginning to think I need some kind of organizer to keep it all straight, not so much something like an assisted living software but maybe like a little version of me following me around quietly and keeping me on track. Someone who's job it is to keep up with appointments and run my errands. Ok, now I'm just dreaming!

I have now completed as much as I can on the curtains for my Sunday School class teacher. I will just take my things to her house and finish the rod pockets there as well as finishing the 4 accent pulls to be the desired length to give the curtains proper "droop."

I will take photos to show off my handy-work. They are really very simple curtains, but I think they will look nice in her space!

1 down, 30 to go! :)

Wordless Wednesday - Sunny Skies

Wordless Wednesday Participants

1. JaJireh 2. Carmi - Written Inc. 3. maryt/theteach

4. Michelle 5. Jim\'s other blog 6. Petradear

7. Deb - Mom of 3 Girls 8. Amy Shipp 9. The Momdum Chronicles

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Heads or Tails #20 - New

Today's Head or Tails theme is 'New'. Great topic, everyone has something new to share! 'They' say you learn something new everyday. (I still have no idea who 'they' are, btw)

I will expound the topic by sharing something new I learned at the driving class last Saturday. The traditionally recommended placement for your hands on the steering wheel is 10 & 2. The new recommendation is to place your hands between 7 & 9 on the left (or 8) and between 5 & 3 on the right (or 4). They said it's the best placement for seating position and controls access and also for vehicles with air bags.

Another new aspect of the hand placement recommendation is to consider the 'push / pull' method for executing turns rather than rotating the wheel with one hand. I think because it's safer (keeping the airbags in mind again) than crossing your arms in front of you. Also that you get back to your 8 & 4 position faster by keeping your hands basically within the 7/9 and 5/3 ranges. That will take some adjusting to get used to.


Here's a suggestion, and something I'm also personally working on this year with some friends, try learning a new verse of the Bible each week this year! We decided to take one verse from each book per week (yes, we know, will take slightly longer than one year). Week 1 was Genesis 1:1-3, let's see if I can recall it now: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. The earth was without form and void. Darkness was over the face of the deep and the spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. God said let there be light, and there was light." Ok, I only looked at it a couple of times to check my wording :) This week the verse is Exodus 15:11 and again, I'll try to recite it: "Who is like you oh Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" Ok, admittedly I had to look more than twice on that one but it's only Tuesday!

So go try something new, if you haven't already and create your own Heads or Tails!

Keeping you in the loop - another list!

Well, you know how I love to create lists around here! I think they are about as handy as a tv mount in a hospital room! Ok, that was a stretch...but you gotta love my creativity! LOL

Anyways, back to my list! I have alot going on right now. Well, not just me, but those people around me. Lot's to remember to do and lots to remember to pray for others who have alot to do as well. So here goes, just to keep you in my loop:

• Today, my friend 'T' is having her father's funeral. Need to keep them in my prayers.
• Friday, that same friend 'T' is having major back surgery, again. Need to keep her in my prayers.
• I need to hire a lawyer service to take care of speeding ticket #2 I got a couple of weeks ago.
• I need to finish the curtains for my Sunday School teacher, I told her I would come over after church next Sunday to put them up for her. Now I *have* to finish them! That's kinda why I told her I would come over, to force myself to stop procrastinating here and get it done already!
• I have 3 different sets of curtains to sew for a friend who just moved into a new apartment. I actually promised hers before I did my SS teacher.
• I am trying to set up a meeting with a potential new part time job doing some bookeeping work to increase my income because I haven't had a raise in about 4 years now.
• I have a cousin getting out of jail this weekend. I'd like prayers for him to stay on a healthy path with God's help.
• I got a phone call from an old friend's daughter who said she wants to meet me. Long story there, I won't be going into, but they live in another town about 1 1/2 hours or more from me. So trying to schedule that for a weekend.
• Tax season is upon us and my office is getting busier. I will soon be working 6 or 7 days a week. Great for my bank account, bad for getting things finished.
• I am still having craft classes 2 nights a month. Not terribly time consuming, but still something I have to fit in. I consider this my 2nd job. So the part time bookeeping would actually be my 3rd job. Go me!
• There is a local Christian book and gift store that I have come to like and get to know the owners a bit. In talking to one of them, we decided we would like to start a group of ladies to have a knitting and crocheting meeting once per month. That will be starting soon.
• Next Monday is Church family bowling night, yay! Only trouble there is that last month, their ball return machines chewed up my ball a bit. I turned it into them to send out to the pro shop, but a month later they can't find it.
• I've been invited to a PartyLite party for the same night next week.
• I need to start up our once per month scrapbooking night at church again.
• A friend of mine wants to start up her own scrapbooking night with some friends.
• My friend's mom is moving for the first time in her life-this Saturday. I will watch her kids so she can go help her mom.
• My friend 'P' is going to Orlando, Fla. this weekend for a few days for work stuff. I will try to spend some time with The Wife and kiddos while he's gone.
• My dad is in Texas visiting his brothers and helping them do some stuff. I pray he safely returns home soon.
• My brother and his girlfriend of like 7 years just broke up. They were just going in different directions. This sucks because we really love her alot, she's a sweet woman and we are happy to have known her. I'm sure they are both brokenhearted. There are worse things than death, believe it or not.
• I would like to go to a stamp camp this Friday at my mom's church, but not sure if I will or not or if my friend's will go too. I am waiting for a call back on that one.
• I'm due for a haircut, apointment is on Saturday morning.
• I have a meeting in less than 2 weeks to discuss the women's conference and what I feel lead to do to contribute to it. I am on chapter 3 of like 19! I must read more or all of this book before then, please pray for me!
• I have a Valley Girl Meeting on Sunday 20th. Valley View's women's ministry.
• I am in the process of reconciling with an old friend. Keep that in your prayers too!
• February brings my mom's birthday on the 12th as well as I have tickets to Avenue Q at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Sorry mom, I'll take you out on another night.
• I also have a court date on Feb. 28th about speeding ticket #1. I took the driver's education class last Saturday in order to get out of points so now I have to present my certificate of completion and hopefully it will go away or take care of some of my fine...not sure, I'll keep you posted there. And yes, I have slowed down!
• February also is the month I have to renew my license plates and registration for my car.
• I have to remember to pay of my new tires before the 90 days has elapsed so I don't have to pay interest.
• I will probably owe big time on my taxes this year since I had to pay in less Federal withholding in order to pay bills last year. Again, no raise in 4 years and every expense I have has gone up considerably!
• I'm still trying to pay off the extra debt I accumulated when I took my big vacation last year. It's not alot but it all adds up.
• My cousin and her husband is having their first baby this June and I am planning the baby shower in early May. It will be alot of fun, I already have lots of ideas. The good news there, her mom offered to pay for everything - within a budget. That's right up my alley, no problem and Thanks!!!
• I also want to be involved with preparing for the baby. Like helping to decorate the nursery and such. I am soooooo looking forward to this baby coming! I can't wait to meet him/her!

So as you can see, there is lots going on! I still go to church 2-3 times a week. Our bowling night is once a month and our Valley Girls meetings are once a month. To that I will most likely add 1 or 2 nights of scrapbooking, a knitting group and Lord knows what else! Life is certainly not boring around here!

Give Me Five Monday Meme #8

Monday, January 7, 2008

The 'Give Me Five' Monday meme is designed to share fun information with each other in a simple short list! Here's how it works. Each week, I will put out a random topic from my list of topics and you share 5 answers of your choice on the given topic and link back here! You can add photos, links or stories or just a simple list of your own of 5 things that relate to the topic as it pertains to you and your life experiences. It doesn't have to be in any order of importance unless otherwise specified.
Sign up for weekly reminder emails @ beccagirl@charter.net


Give Me Five hopes or goals you have for the new year!

This one is very simple, no resolutions allowed though! I don't like them!!


1. I hope I can get my finances in better order and get back on track towards paying off my debt and stop accumulating it!


2. I would like to get my house good and clean and not be embarrassed to have a guest over.



3. I would like to write the book that's blooming in my mind.


4. I would like to go forward with this group of women to put on a conference for 'Women in transition' here in St. Louis. More on that as it develops!


5. Last but certainly not least, I would like to incorporate more reading, writing and bible study into my life on an ongoing basis! This includes finding new ways to be an encourager to those around me and helping out more all around.

I think these are all attainable goals and hopes! They all start with an attitude adjustment and a refocusing of attentions. You can take a safety utility knife and carve a groove into your everyday life to make room to grow, at any age! I hope all of you can take steps in your lives to make goals for yourself and try to reach them!!!