Random Dozen

1. What was the last song you listened to?

Well, my girl has been practicing for choir and has gone from singing Bel Piacere to a bunch of Christmas songs, but just now she practiced her viola solo for the offertory Sunday, which is What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

2. Have you ever had “buyer’s remorse” over anything?

Certainly. Usually it's an outfit and I take it back. Hasn't happened over the really big things. That comes from being married to an engineer - paralysis of analysis is generally more of a problem than buyer's remorse!

3. What is something in your life that you are thankful for now that you didn’t think you would be at the time of the event? (Something that seemed ill-timed, inconvenient or hurtful which turned out to be a good thing)

Many, many things in my life have fallen into this category. One of the first that I remember was being petrified I was going to get Mrs. Boyd for 5th grade. She was scary-mean and incredibly strict. I held my breath the first day of school. Of course I got her. And she was great.

4. Do you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade every year? If so, do you have a favorite float or balloon?

Not any more. I always did as a kid. My family couldn't care less, and we're usually not at our own house where I have control of the TV anyway. But my absolute "favoritest" parade has always been the Rose Parade on New Year's Day. It utterly amazes me what they construct out of flowers!

5. Share a quote, scripture, poem or lyric which has been an inspiration to you lately.

Two things have been going through my mind since the Tough Ministries conference I went to last week. One is the chorus of this song by Brandon Heath that I posted last Saturday:

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity

Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

And the other is something David Ring said in the final general session:

"When I wake up in the morning, I want the devil and his demons to say, 'Uh oh! Here comes Trouble!'

When you wake up, does the devil even flinch?"

6. This is meant to be a fun question, and this is a G-rated blog, but please share a “guilty pleasure,” something that you enjoy that’s probably not the most edifying, time-worthy or healthy thing you could be indulging in. Did I mention--G rating?

Whipped cream!

In my COFFEE, Lid! Or on my pie or other decadent dessert. I'm not about to waste it. (I just waist it!)

And I'm talking about the real stuff, that you pour out of a carton and whip yourself, not frozen or in a squirt can.

7. What Thanksgiving food are you looking forward to?

Dressing. (Some folks call it stuffing, but down here we don't put it in the turkey.)

8. What is your favorite book to read to children, or what was your favorite childhood book?

To read to children - Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester. I love to do silly voices for the characters and had a teeny little reputation at the elementary school on reading nights. I don't remember having a favorite picture book as a child, but the Little House series was my dearest possession.

9. Do you collect anything? (Feel free to post a photo.)

Books, although that's not really an official collection. I used to collect mugs, but finally got rid of most of them 'cause they took up too much space. Now I usually get a Christmas ornament as a souvenir. I have several Nativity scenes, but I shy away from the word "collect" -- it's just kinda happened. Some people might think I collect dust. . . .

10. Gift bags or wrapping paper?

Gift bags. Sooooo much easier to store and utilize! Except my kids still prefer the unwrapping part, so I try to do a little of both.

11. Share an after-school memory from when you were younger. What was your routine like on an average day?

Lid needs to be an Alzheimer's Memory Tester! I pretty much remember coming home, turning on my radio, sitting on my bed, and doing my homework or reading. I know it knocks you over how exciting my life was.

12. True story: Once, in a job interview, I was asked this question and told there would be no clarifying; I simply had to answer the question: “When you’re fishing, do you feel for the fish?” So what about you? When you're fishing, do you feel for the fish??

That's a truly bizarre question. I assume you mean the empathetic, not the sensory, type of feel. Either way, the answer is no. Especially since I don't fish.



It's always fun doing this meme and seeing what others have to say - check out the links at 2nd Cup of Coffee!

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Just in Time for Veteran's Day

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day, so it's a perfect time to tell you about a wonderful novel set at the peak of World War II!


The Swiss Courier
by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3336-0
$13.99; October 2009
She's risking her life to save a man she doesn't know. But whom can she trust along the way?

It is August 1944 and the Gestapo is mercilessly rounding up suspected enemies of the Third Reich after an attempt on Hitler's life. Gabi Mueller is a young woman working for the newly formed American Office of Strategic Services (the forerunner to the CIA) in Switzerland. When she is asked to put herself in harm's way to safely "courier" a German scientist who is working on the atomic bomb out of enemy territory, the fate of the world hangs in the balance.


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Tricia Goyer is the author of several books, including Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights, both past winners of the ACFW’s Book of the Year Award for Long Historical Romance. Goyer lives with her family in Montana. Learn more about her at her website!



Mike Yorkey is the author or coauthor of dozens of books, including the bestselling Every Man’s Battle series. Married to a Swiss native, Yorkey lived in Switzerland for 18 months. He and his family currently reside in California. Visit his website to learn more about him!



MY THOUGHTS:
It has only been relatively recently that I have read a few books set in this time period. This one just whetted my appetite! I have a huge amount of respect and gratitude for the men and women who sacrificed their lives and risked all during World War II. And while I know it is fiction, the book is prefaced with the actual historical event that surrounds it. Although we primarily think of the men who fought, many women did much more than keep the home fires burning. Gabi is multi-faceted: brave, gutsy, determined, and fiercely patriotic, yet a tender heart beats under that strong exterior. Her superior qualities juxtaposed against the heinous evil of the Nazi regime and the events that unfold make this a suspenseful and fast-paced read. I expected some parts of the ending, but there were indeed a few surprises. And although there is a hint of romance, it is not the main focus. While I enjoy a good love story, in this case I'm glad it's not the main plot, for I plan to pass this one on to my teenage boy. I don't think he'd have much tolerance for that!


Available now at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.


Many thanks to Revell/Baker for providing me a copy for review.

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CFBA - Fit to be Tied

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Fit to Be Tied
Zondervan (November 1, 2009)
by
Robin Lee Hatcher


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Whispers from Yesterday), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (Patterns of Love and The Shepherd's Voice), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 50 novels, including Catching Katie, which was named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. She makes her home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Cleo Arlington dresses like a cowboy, is fearless and fun-loving, and can ride, rope, and wrangle a horse as well as any man. In 1916, however, those talents aren’t what most young women aspire to. But Cleo isn’t most women. Twenty-nine years old and single, Cleo loves life on her father’s Idaho ranch. Still, she hopes someday to marry and have children.

Enter Sherwood Statham, an English aristocrat whose father has sentenced him to a year of work in America to “straighten him out.” Sherwood, who expected a desk job at a posh spa, isn’t happy to be stuck on an Idaho ranch. And he has no idea how to handle Cleo, who’s been challenged with transforming this uptight playboy into a down-home cowboy, because he has never encountered a woman succeeding in a “man’s world.”

Just about everything either of them says or does leaves the other, well, fit to be tied. Cleo Arlington knows everything about horses but nothing about men. And though Cleo believes God’s plan for her includes a husband, it couldn’t possibly be Sherwood Statham. Could it?

Their bumpy trot into romance is frustrating, exhilarating, and ultimately heartwarming.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Fit to Be Tied , go HERE.

Watch the book video Trailer:



MY THOUGHTS:
This is a fun, kick-back-and-relax book! I read and reviewed the one before it, A Vote of Confidence, here and while they are stand-alone books, it was fun to see the characters from the first book make appearances in this one. Robin Lee Hatcher has written another winner!

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Fall Into Flavor - Texas Brunch Casserole

The approaching holidays bring family and friends for overnight visits. A favorite breakfast is the egg casserole that is prepared the night before and just has to be cooked in the morning. For those who like Mexican food or a little pizzazz of flavor, this is my favorite version of the classic dish.

TEXAS BRUNCH CASSEROLE
6 slices white bread, crust removed
1 pound ground sausage
2 onions, finely chopped (adjust amt. to taste)
1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chiles, drained
1 fresh chopped jalapeno (optional)
4 c. grated Monterey Jack cheese
6 eggs
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1 rounded tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dry mustard
2 c. half & half

Lightly butter each slice of bread and place in a buttered 9 x 13 glass baking dish.
Brown sausage with onions. Drain and pat with paper towels. Sprinkle sausage & onion mixture over bread. Sprinkle cheese over sausage. Beat eggs. Add spices and half & half to eggs and mix well. Pour egg mixture over bread, sausage, and cheese.

Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. (At this point, it may be frozen until ready to use. Remove from freezer and thaw overnight in refrigerator.) Remove foil. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until casserole is bubbly and lightly browned on top. This dish reheats easily.

From Necessities and Temptations, published by the Junior Leage of Austin, 1987.

Find some more great recipes over at 2nd Cup of Coffee!

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TSMSS - Give Me Your Eyes

I'm in Houston attending a Tough Ministries conference. Sadly, there are too many ministries we consider "tough" in the church today but which are areas where folks are hurting and desperately need to know the love and hope of Jesus. Children in foster care. Orphans. Teen moms. Families with special needs children. Divorced individuals and their children. Folks broken by grief and loss. Families caring for seniors with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Folks with cancer. The list goes on and on.

On the way back to my MIL's after today's sessions, this song came on the radio. It never fails to touch my heart, and it was so timely after today's sessions.

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity

Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

More songs can be found at Amy's!

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Friday Fun

I really don't mean to pick on blondes, but this joke absolutely made me laugh out loud!

REPLACEMENT WINDOWS
Last year I replaced all the windows in my house with that expensive double-pane energy efficient kind, and today, I got a call from the contractor who installed them. He was complaining that the work had been completed a whole year ago and I still hadn't paid for them.

Hellloooo,........... just because I'm blonde doesn't mean that I am automatically stupid. So, I told him just what his fast talking sales guy had told me last year, that in ONE YEAR these windows would pay for themselves! Helllooooo? "It's been a year!" I told him..

There was only silence at the other end of the line, so I finally just hung up.

He never called back. I bet he felt like an idiot.


Have a great day!

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God Bless Fort Hood

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
Praying for God's comfort on the families just up the road at Ft. Hood as well as for comfort and safety for all those who serve our country so faithfully in the military.

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One Fine Season is Not So Fine

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
One Fine Season
AuthorHouse (November 25, 2008)
by
Michael Sheehan


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michael Sheehan is CEO and founder of BioResource, a company that distributes natural remedies including the popular INFLAMYAR ointment for sports injuries. He wrote One Fine Season to honor the memories of two childhood friends who died young, before they could realize their dreams.

One Fine Season is true to life. It draws on Sheehan’s religious education at a Catholic seminary and his experience as a high school baseball and collegiate soccer player. A graduate of Santa Clara University, Sheehan also earned a master’s degree in science journalism from Boston University. He lives in Northern California.


ABOUT THE BOOK

ONE FINE SEASON tells the story of a promising young athlete who must rise from the ashes of devastating personal loss to fulfill a pact made years earlier with his best friend.

Best friends Pete O’Brien and Danny Grace are gifted college athletes, both hoping for careers as professional baseball players. When tragedy strikes, Danny struggles to cope with his overwhelming grief and fulfill a pact the young men made years earlier: to play in the World Series.

Events unexpectedly thrust Danny into the spotlight with the new expansion team in Sacramento. Three guides – an aging catcher, spiritual centerfielder and wise manager – plus a beautiful woman lead him on a healing journey, revealing that even death cannot break the bonds of true friendship.

If you would like to read an excerpt from the first chapter of One Fine Season, go HERE

MY THOUGHTS:
I cannot recommend this book. Before I tell you why, I want to preface my review by saying that in no way do I intend to attack the author. Writing a book is a tremendous process and I respect the time and effort he put into it. I admire his desire to honor the memory of his friends who died and sympathize with his loss. The Bible says we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)

This book as an example of how Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) The summary, which is what was presented to us when the book was offered for review, sounds intriguing and full of wonderful possibilities. The first chapter (which I believe is what is submitted to CFBA for the book to be accepted) drew me in. As the story continued, however, it veered sharply from Biblical truth. Several discussions in the book promote New Age thinking, including statements such as these:

• "Don't get me wrong, I think faith is a great gift, but does sacrificing his son make sense to you?. . .Jesus Christ came to show us that resurrection is possible and to reveal our path to the Divine and the state of love we seek." (pp. 42-43)
  
• "I seriously doubt that there can be only one heaven. I mean, it wouldn't be heaven if you had to share it with people you don't like or even hate. . . And let's face it--some people are such *** that even God couldn't stand them." (p. 99)
  
• "To me, the Garden of Eden was never an actual place on earth. It's a state where our eternal spirits are united precisely with God." (p. 99)
  
• "The true reality is our quantum mind's connection to the divine, and the universe as a whole." (p. 102)
  
• "Only when we center ourselves in the harmonic connection that we've discussed before, which includes love, artistic expression, and spiritual states, can we achieve a transcendental experience that's beyond rational and overcomes the strict limitations of religion." (p. 151)

In addition to the doctrine that is diametrically opposed to that presented in the Bible, the book contains premarital sex that is deemed to be acceptable, and the language of the book deteriorates rapidly; the last quarter of the book was completely gratuitous in its use of foul language.

And that book summary above? The last sentence on the actual book jacket was revised to read: Along the way, three guides - an aging catcher, a highly educated centerfielder and a wise old manager - emerge to help Danny deal with his shattered faith, and lead him on a journey of spiritual and emotional healing that climaxes when he comes face to face with the universe's ultimate plan for all mankind. (colored emphasis mine) Don't waste your money on this book. Instead, renew your mind with these:

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Salvation is found in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4:2-4)

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Random Dozen (Not Dozing!)

1. It's early morning, about 2:00AM, and you're driving home. You come to a red light and sit there. There is no one in sight for miles around. Do you wait it out or run the light?

Nope. Learned from a friend of mine in college on his mo-ped. He backed up and tried to trip the sensor under the pavement, but his bike was too light. Just as he finally ran the light, a police car crested the hill. What I would do is turn right on red and then turn around and then turn right again.

2. If you had the chance to re-do the last 24 hours, would you change anything?

You're really taxing these brain cells, Lid! I'm supposed to remember the last 24 hours?! This was a good day. I think I'll leave it alone.

3. When you reply to someone's comment on your blog, do you reply in your comments or go to her blog and comment? (Or email her)

I usually answer her via email if she isn't a "No Reply-Comment" blogger. Otherwise I may leave it on her blog. Occasionally I'll answer it on my blog, but that's generally if it's a question I think may cross someone else's mind. I'm grateful enough someone comes to see me once; I'd never presume to think that they'd come back to see what I might reply to them! Although Quilly does and it's lots of fun.

4. Your favorite Disney movie is:

That's a no-brainer: Mary Poppins! It's Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
(Let's see how many weeks I can answer Mary Poppins to one of the questions! This is either the second or third!)

5. Do you recycle?

Yes, although I don't go out of my way to. Our trash company provides a recycling bin so we use it. But I am NOT my mother. I do not rinse out plastic zip bags and reuse them or cut up Kleenex boxes to put things in. And I just can't deal with the idea of carting a pile of reusable bags to the store all the time (and having to figure out what to do with them between shopping trips).

6. Games of strategy or games of chance?

Combination. I'm not into heavy strategy like chess or Risk. But I like having to figure out how to manipulate the chance I'm given (like in Scrabble - the letters I draw are by chance, but it's strategy how I play them. It's even the same with Yahtzee.)

7. Do you have any recurring dreams?

Not since I was a scared little kid.

8. What did you learn from your first real job?

That a college education will be a wonderful thing!

9. Do you buy or borrow most books?

Buy. (Or now I get them from publishers!) We don't have a convenient library so we pretty much just do that in the summer.

10. What fashion trend of the past did you say you'd never wear again but did?

I can't think of any that fall into the "again" category, but there have been plenty that I've said I'd never wear and then eventually did.

11. When do you start Christmas shopping?

Mid-November or sometimes after Thanksgiving. I pretty much just have my man and the kids to buy for; we've stopped all the extended family gifts.

12. Have you ever been so happy that you literally jumped up and down for a few seconds? If so, what was the occasion?

I'm sure I did as a kid. And a few football games in college. But I pretty much try to avoid jumping these days so I don't break a bone!


Fun questions this week. Visit Lid over at 2nd Cup of Coffee to see what others have to say. Better yet, join in the fun!

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Leaving Carolina

Leaving Carolina
by
Tamara Leigh
(Multnomah)

Piper Wick left her hometown of Pickwick, North Carolina, twelve years ago, shook the dust off her feet, ditched her drawl and her family name, and made a new life for herself as a high-powered public relations consultant in LA. She’s even “engaged to be engaged” to the picture-perfect U.S. Congressman Grant Spangler.

Now all of Piper’s hard-won happiness is threatened by a reclusive uncle’s bout of conscience. In the wake of a health scare, Uncle Obadiah Pickwick has decided to change his will, leaving money to make amends for four generations’ worth of family misdeeds. But that will reveal all the Pickwicks’ secrets, including Piper’s.
Though Piper arrives in Pickwick primed for battle, she is unprepared for Uncle Obe’s rugged, blue-eyed gardener. So just who is Axel Smith? Why does he think making amends is more than just making restitution? And why, oh why, can’t she stay on task? With the Lord’s help, Piper is about to discover that although good PR might smooth things over, only the truth will set her free.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
After Tamara Leigh earned a Masters Degree in Speech and Language Pathology, she and her husband decided to start a family, with plans for Tamara to continue in her career once she became a mother.

When the blessing of children proved elusive, Tamara became convicted to find a way to work out of her home in order to raise the children she and her husband longed to have. She turned to writing, at which she had only ever dreamed of being successful. Shortly thereafter, her agent called with news of Bantam Books offer of a four-book contract. That same day, Tamara's pregnancy was confirmed. Within the next year, she gave up her speech pathology career, committed her life to Christ, her first child was born, and her first historical romance novel was released.

As Tamara continued to write for the secular market, publishing three more novels with HarperCollins and Dorchester, she infused her growing Christian beliefs into her writing. But though her novels earned awards and were national bestsellers, she knew her stories were lacking. After struggling with the certainty her writing was not honoring God as it should, she made the decision to write books that not only reveal Christianity to non-believers, but serve as an inspiration for those who have accepted Christ as their Savior. Her inspirational romances are peopled with characters in varying stages of Christian faith, from mature believers to new believers to non-believers on the threshold of awakening.

Tamara Leigh enjoys time with her family, reading, and--of course--writing. She lives near Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and two sons. (From her website)

MY THOUGHTS:
I thoroughly enjoyed this charming book. The baggage Piper brings home is a mismatched set, stuffed full of memories, frustration, embarrassment, and desperation. Unfortunately, it just won't stay shut, and handsome Axel Smith seems to delight in watching her scramble for the escaping pieces. His suggestions about how she might relieve herself of some of the particularly difficult ones are completely out of the question. . .except she keeps forgetting the question when he's around! This is a great story of family, grace, and forgiveness.


You can purchase this book directly from the publisher or from Amazon or your local bookstore.

Many thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah for providing a copy of this book for my review!

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Fall Into Flavor - Festive Fudge-Filled Bars

FESTIVE FUDGE-FILLED BARS
2 c. quick cooking oats
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. chopped nuts
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 c. margarine or butter, melted
2 Tbsp. shortening
1 1/2 c. plain M&Ms, divided
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 375. Grease jelly roll pan (or a 9x13 pan also works well & baking times are the same). Mix first six ingredients (oats through salt) in large bowl. Stir in melted butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 1/2 c. of mixture and set aside. Press remainder in bottom of pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

Heat shortening in 1 qt. saucepan over low heat until melted. Stir in 1 c. of M&Ms; press candies with back of spoon until they break into pieces. Cook & stir until chocolate is melted (pieces of candy coating will remain). Remove from heat and stir in condensed milk. Spread over baked layer to within 1/2 inch of edges. Mix reserved crumb mixture with remaining 1/2 c. of M&Ms. Sprinkle evenly over chocolate mixture - press lightly. Bake about 20 minutes until golden brown. Cool & cut into bars.

Using the seasonally colored M&Ms makes this a striking dessert for any occasion!

Find more yummy recipes over at Lid's 2nd Cup of Coffee!

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Giving Thanks Challenge

I had totally forgotten about this, so I'm so glad that Xandra reminded me this morning! Last year I participated in the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah at South Breeze Farm, and it was such a blessing. Each day during November, I will add one thing for which I'm thankful to the list in my sidebar. (My wrap-up list from 2008 is here.) How easy it is to just pray a generic "thanks" or to miss the ways God blesses me on a daily basis. From the simple to the spiritual, I love the opportunity to focus my heart during this season as Thanksgiving Day approaches.

Come join us! Just click here to join in!

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Have You Ever. . .?

Found this fun little meme over at Quilly's and thought I'd give it a try.

Have you ever. . .

1. Been pulled over? Yes. I think about 4 times in my life. The first time, I had on my nursing uniform and just got a warning.

2. Dyed your hair? Not even a drop.

3. Pulled an all-nighter? Once during finals. And then kept dozing off in the test. Then I pulled LOTS of all-nighters when I worked the 11P-7A shift for 2 years!

4. Fallen down in public? Yes. I'm sure Xandra will be only too glad to fill you in.

5. Broken a bone? Yes, and I fear it's not the last time!

6. Had braces? Yes. It's the only reason I can close my mouth.

7. Built something out of wood? A decoupage of the Tyndale printing press at VBS when I was a kid!

8. Been to Disneyland? No. Just Disney World once, in conjunction with a work conference.

9. Eaten a Krispy Kreme donut? Yes, but they aren't anywhere near as good as Round Rock Donuts!

10. Screamed during a scary movie? Don't watch 'em. I yelp when my man appears in the house after work and I didn't hear the door open!

11. Been to a professional sporting event? Houston Astros.

12. Slept till noon? Maybe once as a teen, but regularly when I worked nights!

13. Been arrested? Only my attention (and some might say my development)!

14. Opened Christmas presents early? Not "illegally". But when I was a kid and even now we've done family Christmas a few days early before leaving town. Spreads out the fun and saves the hassle of toting them back and forth.

15. Rolled down a hill? Nope.

16. Toilet papered someone’s house? Never. I think my dad would have killed me. Or made sure the answer to #13 was different!

17. Laughed so hard you cried? Yep. At both ends.

18. Gotten seasick? Never had the opportunity.

19. Shared a sucker with your dog? Never had a dog. Wouldn't do it if I did.

20. Been in an accident? One fender bender in college. And when the deer hit me.

21. Ridden in a limo? Only because that was the airport transportation when I went to Chicago once.

22. Had a pet fish? Reluctantly, yes.

23. Been ice skating? I'm not sure I would call it that. Precariously walking while desperately holding onto the side is more like it. Made it 30 minutes and quit.

24. Locked your keys in the car? I think so, but it was so many years ago I don't really remember. I love love LOVE having the button to push on the keyring!

25. Ridden a horse? Lots of carousel horses and I think one real one as a kid.



So tell me: Have YOU ever?

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Thirty-five Years Later, I Still Shudder

When I was little, Halloween was full of innocence and fun. The year I was 13, the innocence and fun disappeared when this happened on the outskirts of Houston, and it was maybe less than 5 miles from my house.

It took several days for the police to track down all the clues and arrest the father, so for almost a week sheer terror filled the homes of anyone with a child. The candy gleaned that year immediately went into our trash. (As the article indicates, many folks took theirs straight to the Police Department.) Even after the father's arrest and conviction, the horror remained, and trick-or-treating virtually disappeared for several years. When a few began venturing out, they only went to houses where they knew the residents, and hospitals advertised free x-rays of candy windfalls.

Although I don't at all like the darker side of Halloween, I've been glad to see some of the fun and camaraderie for children return to neighborhoods in recent years.

But even after 35 years, it still makes me nervous to watch my girl (my boy's not big on candy) eat a Pixy Stix, even one that has come straight from a store. I never was able to let her eat one from her Halloween bucket. Some memories are just etched too deep.


One thing I'm curious about: this was years before the age of cable news networks and internet, yet it was apparently a very well-publicized case, even attracting reporters from Europe to cover the trial. So for those of you outside of Texas (or at least Houston) who old are enough to remember events of the mid-1970's: did you hear about this? Where did you live? Did it impact your family's activities on Halloween?




Newspaper picture: Austin American-Statesman article 10/31/09
Pixy Stix picture: Google Images

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TSMSS - A Blast from the Past!

Thirty years ago (yikes!) I graduated from high school. Contemporary Christian music was still relatively new, but there were some incredible songs and musicians in those early days. During that time, Russ Taff was the lead singer with The Imperials and they were fantastic. One of my all-time favorites was Praise the Lord. I still love it - such great truth in the words, and the conviction and passion as Russ sings it touches me. A song is great when sung by a 25-year-old, but when he's 50 and has been through some of life's trials, it takes on even more depth.



But I can't resist also posting the original from way back in 1979 - it has such a great piano accompaniment with it! Those first notes of the intro always just grab me!

Praise The Lord (Album) - The Imperials

PRAISE THE LORD

When you're up against a struggle
That shatters all your dreams
And your hopes have been cruelly crushed
By Satan's manifested scheme
And you feel the urge within you
To submit to earthly fears
Don't let the faith your standing in
Seem to disappear

CHORUS
Praise the Lord
He can work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord
For our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord
For the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you
That they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him

Now Satan is a liar
And he wants to make us think
That we are paupers
When he knows himself
We're children of the King
So lift up the mighty shield of faith
For the battle must be won
We know that Jesus Christ is risen
So the work's already done

WRITTEN BY: Brown Bannister & Mike Hudson

Visit Amy's for more music to bless your weekend!

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Pass the Tortillas. And the Biscuits, Cookies, Pizza, Chicken Fried Steak & Gravy. . .

....and anything else with flour in it! I am one relieved and happy woman.

Thank you for your prayers as I went to the doctor this morning. One of the things he tested me for was celiac disease, which would have required me to remove gluten from my diet. I've always had an irritable digestive system that I've just attributed to peaks of stress, but adding that fact to the correlation between osteoporosis and celiac disease (and even migraines and celiac disease) and the rapidity with which they scheduled my appointment upon receiving the lab results led me to conclude that was the news I would hear this morning.

The adage that A physician who treats himself has a fool for a patient (Sir William Osler) apparently applies to other members of the medical community as well. Sigh. (Do you know how nerve-wracking pregnancy was for me? Especially after we had a couple of nieces and nephews born with issues?! Being a nurse is a double-edged sword!)

So without boring you with the details, I will just say that the calcium that went into my body during that 24-hour collection period mostly landed in that nice little jug. And the Vitamin D doesn't seem to cling to my bloodstream very well either.

So I came out with a fistful of prescriptions to add to the pill bottles on my counter. As well as another jug to use in a few months to check progress. The fun just never ends!

But that's okay. I'd much rather pop pills than go the gluten-free route. A couple of friends who have family members with this issue told me that even toothpaste and communion wafers are an issue!

Man does not live on bread alone. . . .but it's nice to have some occasionally!

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Finally Friday

Ah, it's one of my favorite weekends of the year. Not because of Halloween. Not because of a football game. But because we get to move the clocks back and get that extra hour of sleep Saturday night!

That flippant little remark I made in this week's Random Dozen that the sure sign I'm getting older is the array of pill bottles on my counter is coming back to haunt me. About 10 days ago I saw an endocrinologist to try to figure out why such young (ahem!) bones have already have such advanced osteoporosis (If you've been around awhile you might remember I broke my foot a year ago just walking across the church foyer.) and what can be done about it. So he ordered some labwork and also sent me home with one of these delightful 24-hour containers. (It does help being a nurse at times!) Anyway, as a friend says, to make a short story long, they called yesterday with those lovely words: "The doctor would like you to come in for an appointment to discuss your lab results." It doesn't take a rocket scientist nurse to figure out the results are not normal! At least they had an appointment available first thing this morning so I don't have to stew about it over the weekend. Because of course I know what he was screening for. (This is when it is not helpful being a nurse!) And while it is not life-threatening, it will be life-altering and take some major adjustment. But we'll see what he says. I'd appreciate any prayers you'd care to lift up on my behalf!

Going to the doctor lately makes me feel like this:

I started out with nothing ... I still have most of it.

When did my wild oats turn to prunes and All Bran?

I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.

Funny, I don't remember being absent minded.

All reports are in. Life is now officially unfair.

If all is not lost, where is it?

It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.

The first rule of holes: If you are in one, stop digging.

I went to school to become a wit, only got halfway through.

It was all so different before everything changed.

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

I wish the buck stopped here. I could use a few ...

It's not the pace of life that concerns me, it's the sudden stop at the end.

It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.

The only time the world beats a path to your door is if you're in the bathroom.

If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would have put them on my knees.

When you're finally holding all the cards, why does everyone else decide to play chess?

Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

It's not hard to meet expenses ... they're everywhere.

My girl survived her projects last week. I didn't get a picture of her scrapbook, but here is her cell for Biology. She worked really hard and was creative in the things she figured out to use to recreate the "organelles." (I just call them the innards!) Not that I'm biased or anything! But her teacher apparently thought so, too, and my girl got 100.

I don't know how my boy escaped that project when he was in Pre-AP Biology, but he is counting his blessings after watching her. He's not so much into crafty things. Go figure!

Saturday my girl has auditions for All-State orchestra. Although she won't find out the results for a while, she would be thrilled for it to be a treat rather than a trick!

Finally, although I don't condone intoxication, I kinda hope these guys were drunk and not as desperately short of brain cells as it would appear when they chose their criminal disguises. I love how the last sentence says so much in so few words: Attorneys for the men declined comment.

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Hole-y Humbled

I had a helping of humility yesterday, served with several dozen doughnut holes.

And of course, what's a little humility without sharing it on my blog for the whole wide world 3 of you to read?!

We wrapped up our six-week study of Vicki Courtney's 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter yesterday morning with a brunch. I know lots of churches are enjoying this study and moms are being greatly encouraged to have keep those lines of communications open and talk, talk, talk with their daughters.

And we had a little extra bonus at our brunch that other churches don't get to have: Vicki came for a Q&A time.

Not that I would brag or anything. Ahem.

(For those who don't know, Vicki goes to my church. Or I guess I should say, I go to hers!)

Oh yeah, I was talking about humility. That definitely wasn't it!

Anyway, as brunches typically are organized, we all signed up to bring something. I was in the Muffins/Bread/Coffeecake category and had several options in mind, among them my Chocolate Muffins or Apple-Walnut Bundt Cake, as well as a couple of newer recipes I've been wanting to try.

As it turned out though, Tuesday I was essentially gone all day, picked up kids from school, made dinner, went to piano, and by the time the running around was done about 8:00 I was wiped out.

So I, the one who loves to bake and who brags about insists on making everything from scratch, took doughnut holes. And even worse, they were from the grocery store because our famous and irresistible doughnut shop was the wrong direction and I didn't have time to go by there after taking my kids to school.

Amazingly, they didn't kick me out of the study, and the world hasn't fallen off of its axis. Yet. But I'm thinking I need to get out the mixer just to make amends lest it feel jilted.

It was a hole new experience!

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Wednesday Random Dozen

1. Tell me something about your favorite teacher.

I'm sure it will be no surprise to those of you who hang around this blog to find out that my favorite teacher taught English. High school, 11th grade. She was challenging but made it so much fun. We focused on literature and also vocabulary (to prep for the SAT and those dreaded analogies!). I still exchange Christmas cards with her.

2. Tell me about one pivotal moment in your life.

Just before the end of my sophomore year in high school, we moved 17 miles across Houston. Before we moved, we were in a deteriorating neighborhood, we went to an old church where 85% of the members were over 60 years old and there were about 4 kids in the youth group, I was introverted and fearful and shy. We moved to an area with two high schools within 2 miles of each other - that's how many teenagers there were - and joined a church that ran around 60 in the youth group. It made an incredible difference in my life and my personality.

3. About favorite colors--a lot of people will ask you what it is, but I want to know why it is. What feeling or memory does it evoke?

Growing up, my favorite color was always yellow - bright, sunshiny, happy yellow. I don't know if I have one single favorite color because it depends on what it's for. I do still tend to like bright cheery colors - dark purple, fuschia, royal blue. They give me energy and make me happy. I have the opposite reaction to colors like rust, puke sage or olive green, gold (except jewelry!) or brown.

4. What's a sure sign that you're getting older?

The pill bottles in my bathroom.

5. Please don't sermonize, but Halloween--is it a yes or no for you?

In theory, yes. In reality, no. Halloween costumes are a nightmare for a creatively impaired mom like me. And we don't live in a young "fun" neighborhood. I'm glad the kids are older and past that stage.

6. What's your favorite musical?

I can't believe Lidna, the Anti-Musical, asked this question! Thirty years ago I would have said The Sound of Music. Now I think it may be Mary Poppins. And I absolutely love Fiddler on the Roof. And seeing Wicked live this summer was incredible. I even like High School Musical! Musicals are just fun and make me smile!

7. Are you more of a city mouse or country mouse?

City suburb, through and through. Too many animals in the country. And noises. And it's waaaay too scary-dark.

8. Did you know that it is possible, for a small fee, to name a real star after someone? (It's true! Google it!) If someone were to name a star for you, would you appreciate it for its whimsy and romance, or would you say, "Are you kidding me? For $19.95 we could have gone to the movie and actually bought popcorn."

That would not make me at all starry-eyed! I'd much rather have something tangible.

This question comes from Paula at His Ways Are Not Our Ways.
9. What's the craziest thing you've ever been doing and texted during it? I only thought of this b/c I was about to try to text during my walking video but I didn't.
(Paula, you do know that this blog is rated G, right?)

I don't text much. I think I tried to text once while I was drying my hair. Neither worked very well.

10. "It's not a party unless _______."

My friends are there! And chocolate, of course!

11. When you're stuck in traffic or a waiting room, what do you do to pass the time? PS: There are no magazines available.

Well, I usually take a book with me. Otherwise, I love to watch people. People fascinate me.

12. If you weren't yourself, would you be friends with you?

Yes. I'm loyal, caring, and love to do things for friends.

Find out more random info about folks by visiting our lovely hostess, Lid at 2nd Cup of Coffee!

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