Blue Monday - Air Isaac

He makes the fast break...

















he heads down the lane...



















he shoots and...

SCORES!








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Sermon in a Sentence

We must not fear being different. If we do, we'll never make a difference.

From Unfashionable by Tullian Tchividjian

Photo Hunt - Flags

Green Balloons

A Skywatch friend posted the information below on her blog. I wanted to share it with my readers too.



If you are watching the sky on Friday and spot green balloons, think of Iran. The planned release of the balloons is right now, at 1:00 pm Tehran time (GMT +4 1/2 hours).

Our Iranian blogger-friend posted this message:

"Are you mad about what has been happening inside Iran these days? Well then take a deep breath... blow it all into a Green Balloon... and wait until Friday afternoon to send it up to the sky, wherever you are on this planet. Millions of Iranians inside Iran are planning to paint the sky green on Friday exactly at 1pm Tehran time. The non-violent green movement is being cracked down on the ground, so lets take it to the sky."

Skywatch Friday-From the Window

Sunsets are now below the tree line at my house so capturing them means I am out and about somewhere. We caught these two while driving home. (Thanks to hubby for taking photo #2)





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Thursday 13 - Jobs

As a tribute to my current unemployed status (I was laid off in March) here are 13 jobs I'd love to have - only a few of which I am actually qualified for by the way.

1. National Geographic photographer



2. USA Today travel section reporter



3. Host of my own show on the Travel Channel



4. Travel agent specializing in girl-cations and senior (as in high school, not gray hair) trips



5. Entrepreneur/inventor of "green" products that everyone wants to buy



6. Public Relations director for a large zoo



7. Restaurant critic



8. Novel writer



9. Artistic portrait/wedding photographer



10. Owner of a thriving green art/gift shop in Key West only open during the non-hurricane season



11. Publicity manager for my friend Linda at 2nd Cup when she becomes a best selling author



12. Freelance writer of travel, personal interest, and green feature articles



13. Owner of a Bed & Breakfast type establishment that caters to women and teen girls who need a few days away for reflection, re-prioritizing, refocusing and rest

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Wordless Wednesday - Duck Hunt

Like any good hunter I have hung my catch to "bleed" out.

Blue Monday - Ocean Blues

I miss this blue! It has been way too long since I've seen the ocean.














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Sermon in a Sentence

A man ought to live so that everybody knows he's a Christian, and most of all, his family ought to know. ~ D. L. Moody

I am grateful that my father lived his life that way!

Thanks Daddy, you are missed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Photo Hunt - Creamy

This is some peanut butter I bought at the local farmer's market. The vendor said it was Amish peanut butter. It tastes a lot like melted peanut butter fudge!

Just Another Day in Paradise (insert eye roll here)

So the day started at 6:00 a.m. with yelling and yipping as hubby fell over the sleeping dog. In spite of the cacophony of sounds, thankfully neither is any worse for the wear. I might have suspected it was a sign of how the day was going to go had I been the one doing the falling. Since I wasn't, however, I approached the day unsuspectingly - thinking only that it was a very early start.

Already wide awake, I decided I might as well start getting some things done. I unloaded the dishwasher, started some laundry, and headed for the garden - hereafter known as the location of Disaster #1.

Hubby bought me this nifty garden tool last year and it is really great - UNLESS you get it caught in your string line at which point you will spend the next twenty minutes - 20 MINUTES - unwinding the three feet of string which has now somehow grown to 12 feet. After retrieving the string from the sharp, pinching teeth of the cultivator I finished my work in the garden. (Side note: Organic gardening lesson- don't begrudge paying more for organics. They really are WAY more work.)

Once the garden work was done I decided to spray the fire pit area with Round-up. I promise, this is far away from the garden and I had checked wind direction, etc. I put on my rubber gloves and proceeded to mix the Round-up in the spray container. I pumped and sprayed (goodbye crab grass) and pumped and sprayed (good riddance poison ivy) and pumped and... Disaster #2 ...got sprayed! The sprayer hose blew loose from the container sending out a stream of chemicals much like a drinking fountain that Tim, The Tool Man, Taylor had gotten a hold of and it went all over me! I turned quickly enough to keep any from getting in my face but my entire left side was soaked before I got the hose reattached. During the reattaching process my nice, protective rubber glove got filled with the stuff too! Needless to say, I was off to the shower before that job ever got finished. It did get finished though - after hubby fixed the "auto-disconnect" problem.

By now it was lunch time - yep, just lunch time - and I was ready to fix something to eat then sit down and relax for a little while before starting the next project on the agenda. I heated up some ham & beans in the microwave but the minute and 15 seconds I put them in for only made them slightly warmer than room temperature. So, I put them back in for another 20 seconds (note- twenty seconds). I pulled them out, added ketchup and onion, and started to take a taste. Somehow, in that 20 seconds they had quadrupled in temperature. Before I could finish thinking how glad I was that I had not taken a big bite, therefore only stinging my lip a little, the remainder of what was on the spoon fell - PLOP - onto my chest! OOOOOOOOOOOUCH! Disaster #3.

So, I am now sitting at my computer, where it seems relatively safe unless I fall off my chair, and I may stay here the rest of the day. I WILL NOT be pressure washing the back patio and deck as planned. It just seems to risky.

I mean it is the part of the house closest to the woods so I think I'd be inviting a visit from either the ROUS's of Princess Bride fame or the equally frightening giant spider from Gilligan's Island. At the very least wet pine needle spray would somehow come back and cover me calling for the third shower of the day!


So - how has your day been?

Sky Watch Friday - Alone Again, Naturally

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The Rest of the Story

Okay for all those inquiring minds - here is the story to go with the Wordless Wednesday photos. This is behind the building where my husband works. Apparently a couple of the waitresses got a little mouthy while goofing around with some of their guy coworkers. This was the revenge of the boys. It worked out a little better than they planned since it was pouring rain when the waitresses got ready to leave. The pictures are from the next morning which is what we found when we got to the restaurant. Quite a prank!

Thursday Thirteen - Diet Dashers

Here are 13 things that will dash any healthy eating/dieting plans I may have.

1. potato chips and dip (but only if there's dip)


2. Concannon's chocolate cream filled cupcakes


3. my Mom's raspberry pie


4. chocolate chip cookie dough


5. white chocolate macademia cookies


6. chocolate covered cherries


7. Ivanhoe's (just the mention of the place and I'm ready to go)


8. a frozen margarita on a hot summer day


9. s'mores (especially if there are Reese cups to go in them)


10. Pizza King pizza


11. My hubby's blueberry muffins


12. something I've never eaten before (I love trying new foods)


13. vacation

I promise next week's 13 will not be food related.

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Wordless Wednesday - That's a Wrap!

Two for Tuesday - yadseuT rof owT

Are you being abused? Are you an abuser? Two questions...

Here is some information from two links to help you answer those questions.

The following is from the Violence Unsilenced site.

Domestic violence can be emotional, physical, psychological and/or sexual. While many abusers use some combination of these forms of violence, sometimes abuse doesn’t involve physical violence at all.

Here is a list of some common warning signs of emotional abuse:

Dictating your behavior, privileges and/or opinions.
Accusing you of flirting or having sexual relationships with other people.
Monitoring and/or criticizing your clothing, make-up, weight, and physical appearance.
Constantly asking where you are going, who you’re with, etc.
Insisting that you spend all or most of your time together, isolating you from family and friends.
Becoming angry or taking offense when you have a different opinion than he/she does or when you don’t take his/her advice.
Demonstrating ownership and possessiveness over you (”I can’t live without you,” “You are my whole world,” etc.).
Displaying anger, jealousy, and/or frustration easily; acting ‘hurt’ when not getting his/her way; getting very upset at small inconveniences.

Do your words (or lack of them), body language, or actions make you an abuser?

Please go HERE to read one man's personal account of his "Journey Into Violence". Please read all three of his articles.

Most of us would never guess that people we know are being abused or are abusers - but no one really does know what goes on behind closed doors.

Be informed - Be aware - and if you are in this type of relationship on either side, be honest with yourself and make a change.






Also, if you would be so kind as to go to the Blogluxe Awards and vote for the Violence Unsilenced site in the Most Inspiring Blog catagory.

Thanks!

Blue Monday

In searching for a simple meme for Monday's I was drawn to Blue Monday both because it seemed an easy way to start the week and because blue is one of my favorite colors. So, following is my first Blue Monday post.






Blue skies, blue balloon, blue overalls, and a red-letter day as Isaac turns one!

Sermon in a Sentence

God...explains success in terms of giving, not taking; self-sacrifice, not self-indulgence; going to the back, not getting to the front; faithfulness, not fashion.

From Unfashionable by Tullian Tchividjian

Photo Hunt - Lock

I'm guessing this isn't where the prompt was leading. It is, however, the first thing that popped into my mind!



But seriously - here is one of the current types of lock at my house.

Sky Watch - God's Exquisite Artwork

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Thursday 13 - Staples

Staples - not the ones you connect papers with - the ones you keep in your pantry/refrigerator/freezer. Traditionally they are things like eggs, milk, flour, and sugar. If you're like me, however, there are more items that automatically go on the grocery list when they're almost gone (because running out would be a disaster). Here are thirteen items that are considered staples of my kitchen:

1. Cheerios - they're breakfast, they're a snack, they're baby treats!
2. Enviga, berry flavor - my addiction, 'nuf said.
3. Velveeta - I know, I know. The rest of the stuff is pretty healthy though.
4. Newman's Own Peach Salsa - I just LOVE the stuff. I use it on all kinds of things.
5. Open Pit Barbecue Sauce - makes a great pizza sauce mixed with ketchup.
6. Crystal Lite tea - Raspberry or Peach please.
7. Garden Fresh Hummus - I prefer the Roasted Red Pepper. Isaac prefers the plain!
8. La Victoria Salsa Verde - I use it in all kinds of things.
9. Land o' Lakes Lite Butter - all the flavor, 1/3 less guilt.
10. Kraft shredded cheese - cheddar, Mexican blend, and mozzarella usually.
11. Newman's Own Light Raspberry & Walnut Dressing - a fairly new addition - yummy!
12. Craisins - great in salads, muffins, cookies and just to eat.
13. Tostidos chips or Archer Farms Blue Corn with Flax tortilla chips.

So, what are some of your staples?

Wordless Wednesday - Shuttin' Detroit Down

IN INDIANA

John Rich (country)   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

Any Suggestions?

Glitterfy.com - Glitter Graphics



Okay, I'll admit it. I rarely post on Mondays because my creative juices seem to be totally drained after the weekend. Therefore, I am looking for a SIMPLE Monday meme. Anyone have any suggestions? Is there a favorite that you do?

Sermon in a Sentence

God Himself doesn't propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

Photo Hunt - Advertisement

Does this name really make you want to dine here?