Something fun!

Do you like to win things?? Here is your chance. Reading to Know blog has Lots of Giveaways this week. Click over there and see what happens. Let me know if you win something! I hope you do!

War Cam Eagle!

IT IS GREAT TO BE AN AUBURN TIGER!

I was worn slap out after yesterday's game. I was in the room when the game started and on Twitter. I knew that the alabama fans threw play money at Cam Newton when he entered the stadium, pleazeeee. alabama came to play and AUBURN couldn't buy a break. When the flag was thrown on Nick Fairly after he sacked the alabama qb, I was out of here and got a lawn chair to enjoy the beauty of my yard.

I came back in just before the half. AUBURN was showing just a little bit of life. I stayed to watch. I think I'll need to watch the game again so I can really enjoy the win. I talked to my brother, John, after the game. He turned the game off about the same time I walked out. He heard about a minute before I called that AUBURN won. He recorded the game and now knew he could watch and enjoy it.

Twitter is lots of fun especially during a sporting event. From twitter I knew that alabama played 'Take the Money and Run' when AUBURN took the field. When Cam Newton flew over the top of the defenders to get a first down when it was fourth and inches, twitter lit up with tweets. My favorite was Roll CAM Roll!

Here are some of my favorite tweets from the evening-

Do you know what Greg McElroy and I have in common? Neither of us is a Rhodes Scholar.

In case you were wondering, all the folks from Lee County that weren't at the game are at Toomer's Corner.

Think about it this way alabama fans, you only have to hear about this for 364 more days -

Andrew went to AUBURN to greet the players as they arrived back home after the win. He called me on his way there because he was so excited and wanted to share that with me! I can't wait to hear all about that today.

Today I plan to watch the razorbacks play lsu. It will be a great game because I don't have a vested interest in the game so I can just enjoy it. I need a day of calm football watching. My heart needs a rest.

War Eagle!

I have all manner of AUBURN clothes on today, bring it on!!

Call me before 1:30

I love college football. I love the traditions and the rivalries. I think the SEC is the best conference.

I generally don't trash talk but folks love to trash talk me. Carl says that I bring it on myself ;) I have had folks call and snort like a hog on my answering machine, not wait on me in stores because I was wearing an AUBURN tee shirt and one of my all time favorites- a lady (?) stuck her tongue out at me because my team beat her team. Oh, well.

Today the game of the season for AUBURN is at 1:30. You can text me but don't call during the game, I'll be a nervous wreck. I doubt I'll be watching the game more like skirting around the edges of the rooms where the game is on.

I'll probably be texting Andrew during the game, asking if I should be still be nervous or if at some time I can relax. I'll probably talk to my brother, John, after the game. He'll talk over the game with me.

For those who don't love AUBURN like I do, the pictures below are of Cam Newton and Nick Fairly. One plays offense and the other defense. One is the quarterback for AUBURN and the other makes the opposing teams quarterbacks very nervous.
I have my AUBURN crocs on and an ORANGE and BLUE scarf. I think I am ready for the game.

WAR EAGLE!

Mine has lots of family

Here is a blog on my blog role that has a beautiful excerpt for today. Click over there and enjoy her blog and look for your bouquet today.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Landing Of The Pilgrim Fathers

by Felicia Dorothea Hemans

The breaking waves dashed high

On a stern and rock-bound coast,

And the woods, against a stormy sky,

Their giant branches tossed;

And the heavy night hung dark

The hills and waters o'er,

When a band of exiles moored their bark

On a wild New England shore.

Not as the conqueror comes,

They, the true-hearted, came;

Not with the roll of the stirring drums,

And the trumpet that sings of fame;

Not as the flying come,

In silence and in fear;-

They shook the depths of the desert's gloom

With their hymns of lofty cheer.

Amidst the storm they sang,

And the stars heard, and the sea;

And the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang

To the anthem of the free!

The ocean-eagle soared

From his nest by the white wave's foam,

And the rocking pines of the forest roamed;

This was their welcome home!

There were men with hoary hair

Amidst the pilgrim band;

Why had they come to wither there

Away from their childhood's land?

There was women's fearless eye,

Lit by her deep love's truth;

There was manhood's brow, serenely high,

and the fiery heart of youth.

What sought they thus afar?

Bright jewels of the mine?

The wealth of seas, the spoils of war?-

They sought a faith's pure shrine!

Aye, call it holy ground,

The soil where first they trod!

They left unstained what there they found-

Freedom to worship God!

Giving

Here is the blog about the November Giving. I hope it inspires you to give.

Guess What?

So I got up this morning and was doing my morning chores and eventually made it to my computer. My phone rang and I was chatting with KimT. I had already checked facebook and twitter. She mentioned that she liked my blog post for today so I went to my blog. I noticed that I had a comment on my post for today. I clicked to read it. Then I started to jump (well not really, cause of the back, but my insides were jumping)

The comment was from The Park Wife a blog that I enjoy, announcing that I won a blog giveaway. I was jumping so much that I couldn't even read her post where she included her email address. That is why you will read me asking for it even though you will see it in her post. I do feel a little better because Kaitlin didn't see it either but we were both jumping together.

I won a Petit Jean ham and turkey. I am still stunned and still jumping on the inside and now crying.

What a wonderful God we serve. As I pray for His provision for us with our bulging household, He always amazes me with the way He provides.

Ephesians 3: 20-21 says it best! Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever Amen.

How bout just Giving Day?

Yesterday was a rainy day. No, it was a rainy, chilly day. Kaitlin had class until 9:15 and then she was home. Her goal was to wash clothes and work on her graphic design homework. My goal was to rest. I did lots over the weekend and my back was begging me to sit and rest for a day, so I obliged it. It was a good day to be all tucked in the house. Kaelyn asked what she could do for me before she left for work and I had her bring in some fire wood. When Kaitlin got home, she started me a fire. She and Marisa kept that fire going all day long. It was just wonderful! We were snuggy and warm inside while it was cold and wet outside.

I spent the day reading the newspaper, watching The Food Channel and surfing on the 'net.

I found a blog that is encouraging November Giving. (I would send you to that blog but I can't find it now). That really got me to thinking about Thanksgiving and giving thanks but am I missing the giving. Am I being intentional about purposeful giving? I mean giving over and about what we give to the church. Are there ways I can give that don't cost any money? I made a list.

Smiling and Greeting folks

Letting even two cars into the lane of traffic when I can

writing a 'good' letter for the bank teller that has given me wonderful service

holding the door for someone

calling to check on someone

dropping a note to someone

doing a chore around the house that I know someone really doesn't like doing (and not telling them I did it)

not complaining

I am going to try to be more deliberate to follow my list and give more. I'd love to say forever but I better just work on this til the end of November.

What is on your list?

A month!!!!

Breath in and breath out. I am saying that to myself! Stay calm. Breath in and breath out.

One Month!!

I can't believe it!

I keep telling myself that the goal of this is for John and Marisa to have a long wonderful marriage not a perfect wedding day. Besides, if it is a perfect day, where will all my stories come from!?!

I am blest with wonderful friends who are helping me do things, some of which, I didn't even realize til now, needed to be done.

Here are Marisa and Nicole talking about the wedding day. Nicole is the wedding director at our church and she is wonderful. She is very calm and listened to everything Marisa said and then gently guided her to all the decisions that had to be made.

Here is Papa at the post office with the invitations!The final count down is on...

What is six months after your birthday? Your half-birthday!

Today is Andrew and Marisa's Half Birthday. And a beautiful day here in Arkansas it is. When Andrew lived at home, November 17th meant a day filled with NO school for anyone, movies that Andrew chose, outside play and his supper of choice, usually lasagna. The movie of choice for many years was The Longest Day.

For some reason Marisa didn't celebrate half-birthdays til she started living with us. Who knew?

I asked Andrew and Marisa what movie would they pick if they could stay home with me today and enjoy their half birthday. Andrew picked The Emperors Club and Marisa pick all the Harry Potter movies (she is excited about seeing the new HP movie that comes out on Friday).

I celebrated their half-birthday by eating breakfast at Mimi's with Kaitlin. I had a coupon for buy one breakfast get one free just for today. I think now I may watch The Longest Day. I got attached to it by watching it for some many years.

28 1/2 and 22 1/2. Wow, they are sure getting old :)

The Pioneer Woman is my hero!

I love the Pioneer Woman. Every recipe of hers that we have made we all love. Here is a recipe for apple dumplings and it looks amazing. I plan to add the ingredients to my grocery list and make them this week. My sister in law, Tina, makes something like this with frozen sweet potatoes and those are to die for. Her recipe is much the same without the mt dew.

The Pioneer Woman will be on The Food Network on Wednesday night at 7. She is in a throw down with Bobby Flay. I can't wait to see the show.

Happy Veterans Day, Thank you Daddy!

I have this proudly displayed in my den. It was my daddy's. He fought in the Battle of Bulge particularly in Bastogne. If you have never read about this battle you need to The first time I remember seeing this when I was in grade school and I came home with home work. I had to study this battle and my mama showed this to me. I was too young to fully appreciate what it meant. I never asked my daddy about it. He never really talked about what went on during the war.
This is the back of it. Notice the German button that has been attached.I am thankful for my daddy and all our Veterans.

A few Recommendations

I have found a new soda that I am so enjoying it. It is Sierra Mist with Cranberry Splash. Marisa loves it and loves the diet even better.
I don't cook that much. I do have a few recipes that call for garlic and I generally buy a little glass bottle of minced garlic...well... a few weeks ago I had the little GLASS jar out on the kitchen counter. Before I knew it, the jar was on the floor in a million pieces. Let's just say that for a period of 24 hours no vampires even thought about visiting our house because the garlic smell was INTENSE. Kaitlin was home at the time and did an heroic job of cleaning up the glass but the smell just had leave of it's own volition. She found the bottle below for me and STRONGLY suggested that I make it mine.

Sunrise/Sunset

My beautiful winter view is back. Ross, who also did the picture for Elizabeth, did this beautiful one for me of my view. I live in a tree house, so to speak. When all the leaves finally fall, the view I have is unbelievably beautiful. The sunrise is my favorite. I have my cross-stitch set out by my beautiful view so I can enjoy it as I sew.

Do you have a favorite window view?

A thousand words or a picture? Ask Elizabeth!

Isn't that just beautiful?!?

Our friend, ElizabethT, asked Kaitlin to take a few pictures of her house in the spring. Her azaleas were just beautiful. Elizabeth also said that she loved having a picture of her previous house and planned to make one of Kaitlin's pictures bigger and hang it on the wall. That gave Kaitlin an idea, why not have her friend, Ross, do one of his fancy, on the computer, amazing pictures of Elizabeth's house. He does outstanding work. When we got it we thought, oh, we'll wait and give it to her on her birthday in December. HA! That thought lasted about 5 seconds. We couldn't wait.

On Tuesday as soon as Kaitlin was finished with her lab she met me at Elizabeth's house. Here is Elizabeth just smiling but her curiosity is about to kill her, her gift is under my blue raincoat in front of her. She watched me walk into her house with it and couldn't figure out for the life of her what I had.



Pretty nifty! To say that Elizabeth loved it would be an understatement. How fun it to be a part of giving. God's timing was perfect, as always, Elizabeth had had a very sad day the day before and this gift helped lift her spirits.

I might try it!

Even if you don't bake, these pictures will make you say YUM

Every little Sparrow so especially Marisa

I really don't understand.

We saw God work in such an amazing way to provide Marisa her car and now this.

Marisa and John were driving in her car when a deer decided to run in front of them. I am thankful that they were not hurt, very thankful. But I still don't understand.

Sweet Marisa, who doesn't really have anything and now her beloved car may be gone.


This morning I met the tow truck driver to give him the key and I just cried as the car was lifted onto his truck.

I am playing The Glad game now

-I am so thankful Carl was home to help me with this

-I am thankful no one was hurt

-I am thankful for Robert, who got a ride back to UCA, so that Marisa could use his car this week

-I am thankful for the kind AAA man who called to check to see if the tow truck got the car and then told me he hoped I had a better day today, I cried

-I am thankful for Twila Paris music because I have it blaring today. I am singing to the top of my lungs with her as she sings God is in Control and He is Exalted.

-I am thankful that God IS in control of all the details of our lives and He meets us right where we are

-I am thankful that God loves Marisa even more than I do and He has her back like I could never have.

-I am thankful for all I am learning through this (not really yet, but I am counting on being thankful for this one)

You might need to see the words to Twila Paris' song God is in Control. I am singing the line over about choosing to remember and never be shaken.

This is no time for fear
This is a time for faith and determination
Don't lose the vision here
Carried away by emotion
Hold on to all that you hide in your heart
There is one thing that has always been true
It holds the world together

God is in control
We believe that His children will not be forsaken
God is in control
We will choose to remember and never be shaken
There is no power above or beside Him, we know
God is in control, oh God is in control

History marches on
There is a bottom line drawn across the ages
Culture can make its plan
Oh, but the line never changes
No matter how the deception may fly
There is one thing that has always been true
It will be true forever

He has never let you down
Why start to worry now?
He is still the Lord of all we see
And He is still the loving Father
Watching over you and me

watching over you...watching over me..
watching over every things..
watching over you..watching over me..
every little sparrow..every little things...

Our God Reigns! I don't feel better yet but I plan to soon.

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