Boom De Yada

I love this commercial!

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Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost but now am found

Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,

We have already come;

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,

His word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who called me here below,

Will be forever mine.

-John Newton, 1779

Live in the Moment

The following pictures are ones I found "in the moment".  I literally live every day in the moment by capturing little segments of my life on film.  Each one brings back memories of the people I was with, things I was doing and how I felt when the shutter clicked.  I see beauty in the unexpected.  Sometimes a leaf on the ground is just as pretty as a sunset.  I find inspiration in the world around me.  God's given me a love of photography and I practice it whenever possible!

Captured on the way home from work.

I liked this tree.

It was a stormy day but there was a break in the clouds, which revealed the sun. Pretty neat!

Before the portrait.

If I remember correctly, these flowers only bloom once and then are dormant again until next year.  Talk about living in the moment!

Don't you love covered bridges?

Do you see the double rainbow?  I love rainbows.  Sometimes I refer to them as "freaks of nature".  :)

I love clouds.  They can be anything the imagination makes them to be.  On this particular night, there was a really bad storm blowing through town.  This wall of clouds brought heavy rain!

Simply beautiful.

Wisdom To Ordinary People

 Blue Mountain Beach, FL (8.04.07)

I stumbled upon these verses the other night. There's so much truth to be gained! I love how the Contemporary English Version makes it easier to read and understand. I'm definitely going to have to revisit this passage once I'm better and my brain isn't quite so foggy. I pray you are blessed today as you read these verses. May they bless you from the top of your head down to the bottom of your toes! (All emphasis below is mine.)

 "The Law of the LORD is perfect;
it gives us new life.
His teachings last forever,
and they give wisdom
to ordinary people.

The LORD's instruction is right;
it makes our hearts glad.
His commands shine brightly,
and they give us light.

Worshiping the LORD is sacred;
He will always be worshiped.
All of His decisions
are correct and fair."

Psalm 19:7-9 (Contemporary English Version)

Ricolaaaaaaaaaa

I'm sick.  There, I admitted it.  My body's been giving me the signs that it was under attack for a few weeks now, but I've been in denial. (Kinda like the river in Egpypt. ha)  I hoped I could will it away with positive thinking.  But alas, some kind of crud has caught up with me.  It went straight to my chest --- hello, bronchitis! 

I went to the store last night and stocked up on "drugs":

Ricola cough drops are great, but I constantly hear the guy from the commerical in my head, "Ricolaaaaaaaaaa".  I've been taking double doses of Vitamin C.  I don't normally take vitamins, but perhaps I should start?? 

 I also got some OJ and grape juice, both high in vitamin C.  For some reason, the grape didn't taste too great.  I forced myself to drink a glass before bed. 

 I love Sudafed!  It really makes me feel better, however, I don't know what's in it that makes me stupid.  I've been doing the stupidest stuff the past two days.  My mind feels foggy.  It's really odd and frustrating. 

I haven't tried the Zicam yet.  I love their swabs though; have worked miracles before! 

I didn't realize until I got home, but when I looked on the receipt, it says, "Cashier Confirmed - Age Over 18".  I laughed.  I'm commonly mistaken for a teenager, so I guess I looked older yesterday.  Craziness.

I sure hope I get better soon.  I can't wait to get back to the YMCA.  I miss working out, but I'm useless when I'm like this.  I hope you all stay well!

Don't Assume You Know It All

"Glory Revealed" (9.25.09)

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.  Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track.  Don't assume that you know it all.  Run to God! Run from evil!  Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best.  Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.  But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under His loving correction.  It's the child He loves that God corrects; a Father's delight is behind all this." ~ Proverbs 3: 5-12

Eye Spy Something Supercilious*

When I got a computer again, I gave myself the challenge to write a post each day.  You wouldn't think it would be that hard, but some days are challenging; like today.  When nothing out of the ordinary happens or worth talking about occurs.  What's a girl to do?  How about make fun of myself? 

You see, I'm a goofy-goober. I know that. We all know that. I do stupid things all the time and sometimes I even tell others about them.  Actually, I talk about my follies a lot, but I'm a writer; it happens. 

My tongue has hurt all day long.  It feels like I burned it, but I don't remember eating anything hot today.  I couldn't figure it out until I was eating a Dorito a moment ago and then I realized what happened!  I like to lick off the seasoning of the chip before eating it; weird, I know.  This repetitive motion is the culprit!  Sad but true.  Thus solves the case of the 'burnt' tongue.



*Supercilious actually means: "haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression", which has nothing at all to do with my post.  I just like that word.  It sounds like it should have a "silly" definition, but alas it's actually quite ironic.

Rockin' Around the Pre-Thanksgiving Tree

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I know, I know, it's too early to be talking about Christmas; but is it really?  Believe it or not, it's about six weeks away.  In my family, we always put up the tree and such Thanksgiving weekend, but a month doesn't seem long enough to enjoy the festive decorations.  Since I've had my own house, I've left everything up well into January, but that just puts me in the "Is she crazy category?"  Though, one might reason two weeks into November would warrant questioning my sanity.  But here's the thing.  I love this time of year.  I love fall.  I love the cooler weather.  I love how everything and everyone seemingly comes alive.  So, why not enjoy it just a little bit earlier? 

I created a playlist on iTunes for Christmas music and away I went.  It took a lot longer to get everything up than I had intended, however, there was a bit of a learning curve on some projects.  One in particular I doubt I'll ever do again, but it's pretty neat, so who knows.

I used this r-e-a-l-l-y long strand to add some festivity to the upstairs.  However, this was NOT easy and about half way through I nearly gave up.  But I was also half way done, so I push through the rediculousness to get this project completed!  What do you think?  At least, I had the fore-thought to double it up before beginning!

My friend SJB made this Nativity family for me quite a few years ago.  She's one of the most creative people I know!  Whenever I pull this family out of the box and slowly unwrap the tissue paper, I just smile and think of my friend.

I had a wee incident along the way.  I had finally unraveled the tangled cords and was on my way outside, dragging (first mistake) the cord behind me, when all the sudden it got stuck on something.  I'm sure any rational human being would have gone to investigate, but I didn't think through what I was about to do and yanked on the cord instead (second mistake).  The next thing I hear is *pop*, *pop*, *pop*!  I look behind me and there on my new tiled kitchen floor lay several bulbs that bit the dust!  Once I got everything cleaned up, replaced the broken bulbs, then I was back in business. 

I've actually never really decorated outside; wanted to, but wasn't sure how.  I do have a Reindeer stake that I uh, well, stake into the yard.  I'll have to show you what that looks like later.  I got the lights hung around my door frame and for some reason, the thought of when the Israelites "painted" their doors in blood for the Passover came to mind.  Not sure why, interesting thought though.  I was talking to my mom later about what I'd accomplished today.  She said, "You mean the lights are on now?"  "Sure," I said.  "Don't you think it's a little bit early for that?"  In my defense, I was thinking Thanksgiving was this coming weekend.  So, I unplugged the lights.  :)

My parents gave me this fancy nativity for CHRISTmas last year.  I couldn't wait to use it this year and found the perfect spot on the hearth.  However, there's a shepard boy that I wasn't able to find room for.  (hahaha  No room at the inn!)  Ahem, sorry, I walked right into that and couldn't resist.

I love my "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree!  It's actually not that small at 6.5 feet.  There are so many benefits to using a fake tree rather than a real one, including, but not limited to: very little clean up and the fact you can bend up the branches for particularly heavy ornaments. 

Or in the case of my friend Pooh here, I had to create a "seat belt" to keep him from falling out of the tree.  Ornaments are like walking down memory lane.  I found different ones from friends and family alike.  I always try to write on the bottom who gave it to me and what year.  Thanks in part to my Mom and Sister, I tree is a lot fuller this year! 

For the most part, I'm done.  Though, my method of decorating much like many things in my life, I use the KISS method: Keep It Simple Stupid.  :)  Less is more in my book.  I had a lot of fun today.  Hope you get the chance to celebrate Christmas just a little big longer too!

When Passion Becomes Worship

When I see a sunset like this, I can't resist attempting to capture God's glory!  Photography has always been a passion of mine.  But taking pictures of sunsets has become an act of worship for me.  I feel most comfortable when behind the lense; in the "zone" if you will, loving on God by appreciating his "artwork".  Whatever the subject, I find beauty in the unexpected.  I believe that makes God happy.

Sunsets are a daily reminder that my Jesus LOVES me!

Aunt Mer

November 13, 2006.  The day my life changed forever.  The day I became an Aunt. 

He's a week old here.  I spent as much time with him as I could.  I would go straight from work on Friday's and stay until Saturday night.  When he was so little, my sister would swaddle and lay him down in the crevice of the two sofa coushions.  He earned the first of many, many nicknames, "Crack Boy."

From the moment I laid eyes on this precious miracle, I've been utterlly, head-over-heels in love with him.  My love for him has only grown as he gets older.  He's not even "mine", so I can only imagine the love a mother has for her baby, let alone the love the Father had for His Son! 

About the time he was four months old, I found myself doing ANYTHING to get a laugh out of him!  I'd make funny faces, sounds or gallop around the kitchen like an animal of some sort.  My sister taught him sign for "more".  Sometimes after one of my jaunts for laughter, he'd sign more.  Gotta love this kid!  I firmly believe he helped me get over myself enough to let go and have fun; no matter what.  To this day, I'll say and do crazy things (like putting a bucket on my head, he's aloways loved that) to get him hackling.  He has a great sense of humor!

Little roly poly was six months here.  One day, while everyone was visiting my parent's, I plopped him down in my Mom's prep sink on the island.  He liked it and stayed there for a while... until he figured out how to turn the water on!  Always the curious child!

He's eight months old here.  He and I clocked some SERIOUS hours on the porch swing.  On the HOT summer days/nights, my sister would set me up with a fan.  On the cooler days, we'd wrap ourselves in coats and blankets.  Whatever the weather, I'd make myself as comfortable as possible (all the while knowing within minutes my hiney would fall asleep) and settle in for the long haul.  When he was tiny, tiny, my Mom starteding singing, "This Old Man" to put him to sleep.  Knocked him out in two rounds flat!  However, a girl can only take so much This Old Man before she goes insane!  So,  I started singing worship and praise songs to him and for Jesus.  Toots (one of the many names I've given him) would fall asleep after a bit, but I just kept on singing.  It was my time to worship and give thanks for such an amazing little boy.  I'd pray over Toots and ask Jesus to watch out for him as he grew. 

I was telling Rudy (another one) stories about when he was a tiny, tiny baby recently.  When he talks about himself as a baby, he always calls himself a "tiny, tiny baby", so we do as well.  I told him all about how I'd rock and sing him to sleep on the front porch swing.  Not too long ago, I was rocking him for night-night and starting singing my version of Jesus Love Me (different than what my sister sings), he popped right up and said, "Aunt Mer, that's not how you sing that song!"  "Well," I told him, "that's how Aunt Mer sings it, remember?"  He nodded his head and settled back in.  He was asleep within moments.

One of my favorite things about being an Aunt is I can get away with stuff.  haha  I, like my nephew, love to go exploring in nature; getting in the muck of things, feeling everything first hand.  This day, he was wandering about bare-footed, which is something he'd never done before.  We wandered to the creek behind my parent's house.  I waited to see what he'd do, and just like a little boy, he immediately got into the water!  That boy has tough feet, I tell you!  He was very adventurous; walked up and down the creek several times, all the while holding onto my finger (just in case).  Independant, yet dependent.  I think under normal circumstances my sister might have freaked out a little bit, but like me, she's always looking for a good photo opportunity!  Trust me, this boy isn't lacking in pictures of himself!  But, I'm so thankful.  It's amazing to go back and look to see how much he's grown up!  I recently got a new computer, so I only have tiny, tiny and recent pictures of the Toot.

We all went to the beach this summer on a family vacation.  We weren't too sure how Toots would react since he did NOT like it the first time he went (nine months old)!  But a lot has changed since then.  He LOVED it!!  He has a sandbox at home, but this was the largest "sandbox" he'd ever seen!  He literally 'swam' in the sand, went rolling down the hill, and finally came to a rest in the above pose.  What a beach bum!  He loved it all - though the waves frightened him - and rightly so!

I've been telling him "I love you" since the day he was born and FINALLY this summer at the beach he said it back to me.  My heart melted and I fell in love with him all over again.

Here's a recent picture of Rudy; taken before he went to Bible study with my sister.  Apparently this is his new fake smile, but it looks pretty real to me!  His other Aunt taught him how to wink at a very young age, so that anytime he got in front of a camera, he'd wink at you.  What a little ham! 

Two is a fun age.  There's so much to see, learn and discover.  He had a language explosion this year too!  When I talk to my sister on the phone, he'll come on and we'll have an actual conversation.  I don't always understand he says, but I get most of it.  I love spending time with him, no matter what we're doing.  One of our favorite things is to rough-house on the den floor.  He's enjoyed treating me like a human jungle gym since he was tiny, tiny, but now that he's older, one or both of us ends up hurt (usually me!)  We roll around on the floor, tickling, playing with all his John Deer toys, and giving him "tummy yummies" (raspberries on the tummy). 

Rudy was a fireman this year for Halloween!  This boy LOVES to pretend!  He has such an amazing imagination!  Last I heard, he had imaginary neighbors who go by the names: Jon Jon, Trailer, Toothbrush, Bingum, and Truck.  Sometimes they go on adventures together; sometimes one of them is sick and Toots has to take care of them.  Very creative.

I absolutely, positively, without a doubt, no question about it, LOVE being an Aunt!  I can't believe Rudy turned THREE today!!!  Just doesn't seem possible!  I'm so thankful to have him in my life!  I don't know what we did without him for so long!