NOT Dancing with the Stars...

***First things first. Most importantly, that cheesecake is from.... Cheesecake Factory! *sigh*

*****************************************************************************

Main Entry:

²prune

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

pruned; prun·ing

Etymology:

Middle English prouynen, probably ultimately from Old French prooignier, alteration of *porrooignier, from por- completely (from Latin pro-) + rooignier to cut, prune, from Vulgar Latin *rotundiare to cut around, from Latin rotundus round — more at pro-, rotund

Date:

15th century

transitive verb1 a: to reduce especially by eliminating superfluous matter <pruned the text> <prune the budget> b: to remove as superfluous <prune away all ornamentation>

My pastor has been leading us in a study called "Radical." Sounds fun, huh?

A question has been rolling around in my head. "How am I different than the rest of the world?"

I lay in bed last night, listing the ways that I am just like the world.

Again, the bullet points just make sense here:

• I like stuff. My cameras, my phone, my Ipod, certainly purses and shoes. I like to decorate my house, I like to shop. I like to amass things. I need things. I like my closets and pantries to be full.
• I read what the rest of the world reads and watch what the rest of the world watches.
• I dress like the world.
• I talk like the world.
• I spend most of my money on me and my family.

Oh the list went on and on. How can I even begin to become radical about Jesus and His Great Commission? I'm much too concerned about me and my stuff.

So instead of being overwhelmed with what I am NOT, God gently and graciously allowed me to focus on the areas that I am not like the world. I'm not going to bore myself and list them here. In that grace, I heard Him very clearly ask me when I was going to let go of some silly areas that I was clinging dearly to. What was I going to sacrifice that meant something to me? Was I going to limit my computer time? (You know, there ain't a lot to limit. Have you met Zane, God?) Was I going to severely limit my television watching at night? (I don't watch it much during the day. I speed past the Today Show when I'm getting Zane down for a nap and listen to the local news while I'm cooking dinner.)

But give up my relaxing snuggle-in-the-bed and stare at the television time? Great. God had whittled down my Tivo list to bare bones to begin with. There are a couple of sweet things He's allowed me to hang on to, but scantily clad celebrities shimmying suggestively to music had to go. And God seriously had to ask me if I was going to pout about it.

My point is, how am I going to win the world, the 4.2ish billion people who don't know about Him, if I look just like the world? What do I have that will make them want what I have? Will God be impressed when I get to heaven that I could name in chronological order all the winners of the DWTS mirrored globe?

So He's pruning me. I need to spend more time reading the book of the God that I claim to love so much. I need to read books written by people who desperately sought after Him. I need to use my time on the computer to be a shining light for Him instead of going to People.com to see if Shanna rushed to Travis Barker's side.

Even my People magazine is losing it's luster. I'm so glad that I got that 3 year subscription.

It's about asking God what he wants me to give up to SHOW Him that I love him more than my stuff. It's about fasting from anything that threatens His first place spot. I can say that I love Him most of all, but if I spend all of my time caring for my family, and myself, then I'm not showing with my actions that I DO love Him most.

I'm struggling to see this in action. The Spirit isn't letting me get overwhelmed. It's showing me tiny steps at a time how to get to be holy. There are two kinds of holy, you know. The kind you get when you accept God's gift, and the kind you actively strive to be.

My one tiny step today was limited computer time *cough* and no Dancing with the Stars. I'm watching in muted silence PBS. Ronald Regan is president and people are being interviewed about it. No gyrating on PBS. No sir, not a single hip.

There she goes again...

It was innocent enough. I whipped out my camera to lengthen the life of this certain piece of cheesecake. My friend, who I love dearly, exclaimed, "There she goes again, documenting every aspect of her life..."

I was a bit stunned. I shook off the shock long enough to polish off this monstrosity in a nano second, but the statement came back to me on the way home.

And because I think too much, many times after that too.

Why do I feel the need to document everything? Or, simpler still, why do I need to blog? As I logged into my most favorite message board, there was the question again. In black and white. "Why do you blog?" Goodness people, enough already.

So I've been thinking about these questions. And other things you really don't want to hear about right now. I guess bullet points would be most helpful here.

• I blog so I won't forget things. When I need to remember things that have happened, or when things have happened, I can just look it up. Even now, I look back and say, "I've already forgotten about that!" Especially those sleep deprived months years.

• I blog because I outwardly process. Ask Allen. Or Jennifer. I need to hear it or see it before I can truly process something. I have no idea why. I'm sure it's a sign of something that's horrible deficient mentally or something like that.
  

• Honestly, I think the artistic, weird part of me likes to create. I love to make things. I just don't have the time to do the crafty things that I want to. I love to knit, sew, scrapbook-things like that. I did scrapbook one afternoon last week, but I can't do that stuff as much as I want to. I guess this is a small form of artistic expression.
  

• I like to document where I've been in my life and see from where God has brought me. See how I've grown, what I've learned. And what I was thinking. Totally selfish. Purely indulgent.
  

• I can complete something. In my life, things are rarely completed. I'm cleaning one room and the other room is falling apart. The kitchen stays clean for one hour tops. At least I can start and finish a post in one sitting. Most of the time. Some times. Okay, that point really doesn't work for this. Never mind.

• I take pictures of everything. I even bought a second camera so I could take it everywhere and take pictures of everything. I think that's the scrapbooker in me. We have to take pictures of random stuff so that we will never run out of things to scrapbook. I really am in danger of that happening. I am currently working on Jude's baby book. I may run out of stuff to scrap soon. I'm really so glad I took 1,000 pictures this summer. Whew. Disaster averted.
  

So there you go. That's why I blog. I guess. Maybe there is no reason. Maybe I'm just weird like that.

What *I* Wore Today

Now, first you have to know that this post is a spoof of one of my favorite blogs:
http://whatiwore2day.blogspot.com/

I know that no one cares what I wear each day, but the great and special thing about this outfit is that it isn't my PAJAMAS or sweat shorts, which is ALL I have been wearing for 2 weeks! I was so happy to put on makeup and real clothes that I decided to have a little fun with it.

So let's pretend this is real.
The shirt - one of 100 v-neck black tee shirts that I would own if it were up to me. Black tee shirts are my favorite. They go with everything, and I always feel good in one. This one needs to be retired, it's so old. But anyway, it's from Walmart.

The pants - the capri's are Abercrombie and Fitch and I got them from a yard sale for $2. The silky belt came with them!

The shoes - They are Yellow Box, but I got them from the thrift store. They were $2.98, I think.

See a pattern here? I let go of my feelings about used clothes years ago and embraced the practical and ecological side of second hand shopping. It's almost an obsession now.

The earrings were my MOST favorite pair. My dear friend Michelle gave them to me about 8 years ago. They were sterling silver hoops in the perfect size. We were in Walmart today, Zane pitched an all out fit in the backpack, one got knocked out and by the time I found it, it had been squished flat. I was seriously bummed. I had to throw them away, right there in Walmart. *sigh* I hate when I get so sad about stupid stuff. Now I have to find some new ones that I love just as much.

But on a better note, please notice the super happy, most amazing ring I have on my right hand. It was a precious gift from a girl who also views clothes as a small art form. *smooch*

A few of my (new) favorite things

I finally found a shampoo that works! Yes! Pantene used to be the only thing that worked for my crazy hair, but it's full of chemicals that I try so hard to avoid. So here's the miracle shampoo:

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=6419&at=0

There is a conditioner too.

And this deodorant works for me too!!! Not as well as Secret maybe, but this one won't kill me! lol...

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=8253387648534526534

So there they are. Two things that are making my life a little bit easier. And safer, I hope.

My sick, sick baby

Laney has been so sick. She has been throwing up, and every time she gets sick this way, we have the same battle. She wants to drink, drink, drink. We fight her, and finally let her do what she wants to, so she'll see what will happen. Yep. All back up.

Then she won't drink at all, because she *hates* to get sick like that. Like her mama.

So anyway, she walked into the kitchen while I was cleaning it the other day, crying, and yelled, "I have HAD it. When I am better, I want you to put me glasses of water, apple juice, chocolate milk and regular milk on the table, all lined up, put straws in them and let me drink ALL I want to. Where's some paper?"

I handed her the paper and some crayons, and she plopped down on the floor. She looked up all teary at me and said, "Here, I am going to make you a list of what I want to drink so you won't forget."

And she did. Complete with pictures of each drink.

I had to laugh. Or cry.

Jude has provided some comic relief. We've all rearranged our sleeping spots, putting Laney on Jude's futon, let Jude sleep in "Daddy's spot" and Allen is in Laney's bed. Before we went to bed that first night, Jude looked at me anxiously and asked, "But will Daddy get into bed and squish me?"

I assured him not.

Poor guy. The things he thinks of.

I have NO idea where he gets that "worse case scenario" thinking from.

The bright side is that I'm really enjoying the break from school. There is always a bright side somewhere!

Time to get off the couch

So to speak. It's time to get my rather large rear end in shape. I'm trying to eat right, but as my dear hubby pointed out yesterday, I'm probably not going to lose a whole lot until I start exercising. Sure enough, I've been stuck at my current weight for quite a while.

I do need those endorphins too. I need to get in shape. I'm getting old, I mean older, and it ain't like the old days where I could stave off the french fries and drop some poundage.

So I'm doing this: http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/page4/page4.html

There is even a podcast that you can put on your IPod that tells you when to walk and when to run. It's *3* days a week. I can so do that. Right? Podcast link: http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/page4/page4.html

The music isn't really my taste, and it reminds me of my Club 21 days. Ugh. But more motivation to get it DONE and turn the music off all together! lol... I hope there aren't any bad words or inappropriate material in there... :)

So I'm starting in the morning. And I'm going to give you a report.

Oh Chewy would be so proud!!!

A 9/11 Video

I watched this video when it was first released, and I thought about it all day yesterday. I found it today, and just wanted to share it. It's not graphic, but it is haunting.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5474006551011489413

What happens when you have a....diva???

...or when Laney gets a hold of a camera. Either way.....

.

Just Ignore

We had to memorize Psalm 1 for school, and then we had to preform it before an "audience." Well, since we didn't have an audience, we posted it here! We didn't want anyone to think we were bragging. I promise, we aren't. It's just hard for her to do this in front of a camera, so we're practicing hard so we can get brave! Then maybe we can drum up an audience to do it in front of!

More painting done

The foyer and hallway are done. Now it's up the stairs.

The kids and Allen have been pondering the huge key. Allen calls it "the key to the city." (Pelham, I guess.) It was 90% off at Hobby Lobby, so it became the "perfect" thing for our foyer!

I'm really tired of painting, and today saw some things I missed in the dining room. And found paint splattered on my printer. It seems to be a never ending project.

Oh and a huge prayer request. I found some more termite damage on the wall where our front door is, so I'm trying not to worry about that. We need to find a deal on a new front door unit, so please pray for that too. I'm going to have Cook's here when they replace that door, just in case. I am SO ready to be done with major home repair!

Enough whining. I need to be saving that energy up for the trip up the stairs! At least I can call Daddy to help me with that... Reinforcements! :)

Shouldn't it be fall?

We are eating candy corns and watching football. Where is fall?

COME ON FALL!!!!
 

Isn't it funny

"The ostrich flaps her wings futilely—

all those beautiful feathers, but useless!

She lays her eggs on the hard ground,

leaves them there in the dirt, exposed to the weather,

Not caring that they might get stepped on and cracked

or trampled by some wild animal.

She's negligent with her young, as if they weren't even hers.

She cares nothing about anything.

She wasn't created very smart, that's for sure,

wasn't given her share of good sense.

But when she runs, oh, how she runs,

laughing, leaving horse and rider in the dust."

This is what has stuck with me from our concluding study on suffering and Job. God knows what He is doing. He knows how to run the world He created.

Finally!!!!

A picture where I look like my baby sister.

No? Close one eye and tilt your head to the side?

Still no? Take off your glasses/take out your contacts. (If you don't wear them, then you're already out of luck.) Now back up from the computer. Then close one eye. Then tilt your head.

Still no? *sigh* Fine. Maybe if I was 16 years younger?

Nevermind...

:):):)

And yes, this was at the first Auburn game. Roll Tide!!!!