Thursday Thirteen- Countdown to LOST

So, who is your favorite LOST character?






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Thursday 13 - I've Learned

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Below is a list of thirteen things I have either learned or had confirmed this month.

1. I am not a morning person! Going back to work temporarily has been fine and I like the job but I do not like having to get up early in the morning.



2. Core-Fill (foam-type insulation) is not a floatation device. ...and a plastic bag is not a toy.



3. Money, or the lack thereof, changes everything and almost everyone.



4. Ground turkey is a good replacement for ground beef in almost any dish/recipe.



5. Following Jesus doesn't mean living above reproach. It means living with integrity. For the whole sermon visit Commonway and listen to the sermon titled "Too Much Wine".



6. "Until you learn to trust God for everything in your life, you will constantly seek to control others for the things you think you need." - from So You Don't Want to Go to Church by Jacobsen & Coleman



7. "Those who don't like to be told what to do aren't any crazier about the prospect when God is the boss." - from the Beth Moore study on Esther



8. "Meanness always has a history" and it "catches like a virus". - from the Beth Moore study on Esther



9. Anger is power to someone with no better base of power and explosive anger is a way to control and manipulate. Paraphrased from the Beth Moore study on Esther.



10. Nothing is more fun and refreshing than a day at the playground with the grandkids. See Wordless Wednesday post below.



11. I really do feel better and have more energy when I eat right and exercise regularly. And the dog really appreciates it when we walk too!



12. I miss some of the things I used to do like dancing, playing board games, camping and campfires, hiking, swimming and several others.



13. I don't miss some of the things I used to do at all!

Because I will be working at least through the end of October and I babysit my grandson on Thursdays after work , this will be my last Thursday 13 until some time in November. I'll be back then and, in the meantime, feel free to stop by and catch my other posts and I'll try to stop by and visit other 13ers on Fridays.

Thursday 13 - Totally Random

1. This is my 72nd Thursday Thirteen post.



2. This is my 18th post tagged "random thoughts".



3. Additionally, I just started doing a new meme called
   
   
You can see my latest entry by scrolling down.


4. I am "jump up and down" excited that I have had visitors from 104 countries!



5. Here is a "Yearbook Yourself" picture of me around the time I was born.





6. This one is from 1992 and I've included it since I have a real picture of me that looks almost identical. Yes, I really had that hair!





7. I am appalled and saddened by the "outburst" of Rep. Joe Wilson. We, as a country, are in a sad state when there is no respect for the Office of President. Regardless of who we voted for, in a civilized society certain positions should be granted respect. Funny that the same people who think this was defensible are the ones who would be totally appalled if the same type action happened to the minister in their church, a student screamed at a commencement speaker at their child's graduation, or a defendant back talked a judge.



8. I am in search of one, just one, current television advertisement that doesn't try to sell it's product or idea based on sex or fear. Anybody seen one?



9. I love autumn. Cooler temperatures are great for outdoor activities, bonfires with toasted marshmallows and mulled apple cider. Then there is all the camera fodder with the changing of the leaves.



10. Early morning fog is beautiful as long as you don't have to be any place.



11. If a rebuttal is the response to a speech, shouldn't it be a respeech (which it often is) since there is no such thing as a buttal?



12. Is there anything you can eat that isn't better with cheese?



13. My favorite comment from the Beth Moore Bible study I'm currently doing - "Coincidences are just miracles where God chooses to remain anonymous."

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Random Dozen #1 & Thursday Thirteen # 70 (early)

1. When you go to Wowmart, what one thing do you get every single time, besides a funky-wheeled squeaking cart full of frustration?

I really try to avoid Wowmart but if I do end up there I always get some of their fizzy flavored water - strawberry, key lime, & black cherry - mmmmm!

2. What is something that people are currently "into" that you just don't get or appreciate?

Twitter

3. What is something that really hoists your sail that other people might feel "ho-hum" about?

Travel & photography

4. Favorite song to sing in the shower or car?

Broken Wing by Martina McBride

5. A really great salad must have this ingredient:

Cheese, please!

6. Advice in a nutshell to new bloggers (one or two sentences):

Keep at it.

7. What was the alternate name that your parents almost named you? Do you wish they had chosen it instead of the one they gave you?

My parents let my 3 older sisters pick my name so I don't know what all the options were. I wouldn't change my first name. However, I do wish they'd picked a different middle name for me.

8. What in your life are you waiting for?

A change. A real, lasting one, not just a temporary modification.

9. You get a package in the mail. What is it, and who is it from?

It's whatever prize I've chosen from Club Bing.

10. Today--what song represents you?

All Right Here by Sara Groves

11. What is one thing that blogging has taught you about yourself?

That what other people think of me (even people I don't know in person) still matters to me more than I'd like to admit.

12. How are you going to (or how did you) choose the clothes you're wearing today? What do they say about you in general or specifically how you're feeling today?

I picked something appropriate for work and the weather and then took a chance and wore my red shoes thinking I wouldn't have to be on my feet much. (Murphy's Law ended up making that a bad choice by the way!) I'm generally a casual dresser more interested in comfort and practicality than style. The red shoes, on the other hand reflect my desire to still be feminine and sexy.


Okay, since I'm working again I'm going to cheat a little and add my own question so this can be my Thursday 13 too!


13. What is your favorite thing to photograph?

Nature - skies, flowers, etc. followed closely by my grandkids! (No surprise there if you're a regular visitor here.)

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Thursday 13 - 13 Songs About Rain

First there was too much rain here. Now there is not enough. So I got to thinking about rain.

The word rain seems to symbolize many different things. Here are just 13 (my favorites) of the multitude of songs about rain.


Singin' in the Rain

Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head

Rainy Days and Mondays

Bring on the Rain



I Love the Rainy Nights

Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain

Have You Ever Seen the Rain

I'm No Stranger to the Rain

Kentucky Rain

Who'll Stop the Rain

Bring the Rain



Smoky Mountain Rain

Songs About Rain

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Thursday 13 - The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

So, I should preface this list with an explanation. Our house is not for sale! It is not listed with a realtor, nor is there a FSBO sign in the yard, NOTHING. With the way the market currently is and the way house values in our area have dropped we would be luck to get out of it what we still owe on it. Other pertinent info is that I got laid off in March with no chance of recall. My husband is retired from Delphi so his retirement income is subject to change - and not in a good way. So when someone delivers a potential buyer to the front door of your house, I think you have to assume it might be a God thing. We showed the house yesterday and I have very mixed feelings about it. Thus, the list:

The Good

A smaller house payment would be awesome!

A smaller house to clean would be great.

If moving means getting away from the mutant bugs that seem to have appeared this summer that would be good with me.

A place with less stairs would probably be a good thing - especially long-term.

Moving would force us to get rid of some of our excess stuff.

A new place would undoubtedly have less flower beds to weed.

The Bad

I would have to leave all the perennial flowers I have planted that are finally naturalizing the front yard.

I'd be leaving my five acres of woods with the deer and owl and funny little lizards.

We built most of this house ourselves - we have a lot of blood, sweat, and tears invested.

The decks, the fire pit, the outdoor kitchen...

We'd have to get rid of a bunch of stuff - it's not the stuff so much as the deciding what to keep and what to do with the rest - sell, donate, or burn in the fire pit.

Where would we (and Gracie the 100 lb. Rottweiler) go from here exactly?

The Ugly

The actual process of moving. I hate it. The packing, the unpacking, the sorting, the storing, the lifting, the hauling, the upheaval.

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Thursday 13 - Faeries, Sprites & Lights

Here are the 13 little houses we were able to find at the Faeries, Sprites & Lights event. I started with my favorite!









I really liked this one too.

Sorry that last one is a little blurry. Scroll down to the Two for Tuesday post to see a couple more photos from this event.

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Thursday 13 - Things a Grandparent Should Know

Things change - so if you are about to become a grandparent for the first time there are some things you should know.

Here are just some (13 to be exact) of the things I have learned in the past two years.*

1. Rule # 1 - assume all the rules you remember from being a Mom/Dad are wrong!


2. Diapers come in multiple sizes and food is divided into age stages.


3. Anything that ties is bad - hats, coat hoods, bibs - bad, bad, bad.


4. Bibs all have Velcro now - be sure to attach the Velcro together before putting the bib in the laundry with your good sweater, shirt, etc.


5. They are not called play pens ( because you are not confining the child - that might warp their little id), they are Pak n' Plays.


6. Everything you will sit the child in will have shoulder harnesses and lap straps (so apparently when they are sitting it's okay to warp confine them).


7. Unless you go retro, every toy you buy will require batteries.


8. Never assume the child safety latch you just bought will work.
   
   It took Isaac less time to remove this one then it did for me to put it on!



9. Any toy you kept from when your kids were little may put you at risk of child endangerment - it undoubtedly has smaller parts than are now allowed.


10. FYI - car seats have expiration dates! Don't ask me to explain why, I can't.


11. Oh, and if you have grandchildren that tend to be thin or small, they'll be in some kind of car seat until they're 12.


12. The list of what you can feed them until they are about two is about the same length as what the list of what you couldn't feed them was when you had your kids.


13. Good news - according to the surgeon general, the CDC, and all the parenting magazines and books, you can still love them just like you did your kids.

*DISCLAIMER -This list is not meant to disrespect or poke fun at my daughters in any way. They roll their eyes at some of the "new" rules too.

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Thursday 13 - Technologically Speaking

This post is late because I spent the morning getting a new cell phone in Dante's first level of hell - otherwise known as the Vrzn store. During the waiting process I determined that I have a love/hate relationship with technology...


I love that I can call my friend in Kazakhstan on the phone and talk to her like she is just across town.

I hate getting a new cell phone and trying to figure it all out - again!

I love that my new phone has a QWERTY keyboard.

I hate that you lose your ringtones when you switch phones just so they can charge you for them yet again.

I love that the inside screen lets me do a slide show for wallpaper so I can have photos of all the grandbabies.

I hate that the screen on the outside is so tiny that the time covers up most of any picture you put on there- I wasn't willing to pay the $30 more for a screen that was larger by half an inch.








I love DVD's so you don't have to worry about the "tape" breaking or stretching if you play the same movie over and over.

I hate myriad of remotes required to operate the TV, DVD player, surround sound, and Dish.







I love my digital camera that lets me know immediately if the picture is good, doesn't waste film, and lets me easily share my photos with you.

I hate the rate at which said camera goes through batteries. (Yes, I have rechargables which seem to run down at the same rate whether they are in the camera or out of it. So much for carrying backup batteries.)

I love Facebook and connecting with old friends and getting a message from a boy (man) who remembered me as his first kiss in 4th grade!

I hate feeling like I have to check Facebook regularly because no one under 40 will pick up the phone to call and tell you something - they just post it.

I LOVE that I can have a blog and share what's on my mind and in my world and also learn about you and yours.



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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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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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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?

Thursday 13 - Totally Random Thoughts

The little guy looks much older with his hair cut.









Three days in a row of rain made my garden plants almost double in size - YEAH!

Three days in a row of rain made the weeds in my garden quadruple in size - Yikes!

I think we got hoodwinked in Wisconsin. The chocolate cheese we bought tastes suspiciously like chocolate fudge.

I thought this display at my nephew's wedding reception was very thoughtful. It shows the wedding days of the bride and groom's parents and grandparents.



Technology still amazes me sometimes. I can't believe I can talk to my friend in Kazakhstan any time I want to. (Remembering the time difference is important however!)

Speaking of technology, the phrase "weapon of mass disprution" is very good terminology for a potentional computer/communications terrorist attack.

This very brightly colored guy is real. We saw him at the Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque.



High school graduations these days come with a ridiculous amount of rules for the graduates. One I know of didn't allow the girls to wear heels (or flip flops). Seriously?

I thought I'd have so much time to do things now that I'm at home but it sure doesn't seem to be working out that way.

Webster's definition of priority is something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives. Webster's definition of accessory is a: a thing of secondary or subordinate importance b: an object or device not essential in itself but adding to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else.

I like keeping up with people on Facebook.

I love my church. You can find out more about it or listen to previous messages by going here.

13 Things From My Mini-cation

Last week we helped a friend move to Iowa. I know, why would anyone want to move to Iowa? Well, in his defense, it really wasn't optional unless he wanted to be unemployed like me. The movers did all the hard work, we just had to be there when the truck arrived and play traffic cop for which boxes went to which room.

Sooooooo, since we were making a road trip anyway, and I'm willing to call about anything a vacation, we took an extra day coming home so we could drive up through the southern tip of Minnesota and through Wisconsin before heading back home. Much of my motivation for this had to do with my dream/goal to see all 50 states before I turned 50. It seemed like an attainable goal, but, alas, I failed. So I've reset the goal as a "before I die", aka "bucket list" item. Therefore, this trip allowed me to mark off two, count them two, more states. This leaves me with only 16 states to go. Yeah!

All that to say, here are 13 observations from my mini vacation:

1. Semi drivers should NEVER, NEVER, NEVER be texting unhless the are not in their truck!

2. We need to find a use for goldenrod - as a food, or a fuel - something because it grows anywhere and everywhere.

3. Windmills-wind turbines technically-are way cooler in person than in pictures. (See previous two posts for more about this.)



4. Never try to eat an Arby's Market Fresh Chicken Salad sandwich in the car.

5. Our hotel (a Hampton Inn) had really great black and white photos everywhere. For instance, there was a different one on each room number sign.

6. Dubuque is very hilly. I always thought of Iowa as being flat.



7. We visited the "Field of Dreams" and it was great fun.













8. One evening for dinner we drove across the river to Galena, Illinois. It is a quaint little town that I'd like to go back and see more of sometime. So where exactly do you keep your horse in a small town? Apparently you rent it an apartment!



9. When we left Dubuque we drove along the Mississippi River north into Minnesota. I was amazed at how close to the river they build things. In one are we drove on a road that was parallel to railroad tracks that ran about 3 feet from the edge or the road. Then there was 8 foot or less of grass to the edge of the river!

10. There were still a lot of gravel roads in Iowa and Minnesota.

11. We decided to eat lunch just after we crossed the river into Wisconsin at a place we'd read about called Huck Finn's on the Water. Easier said than done. We called for directions and received them from a girl who didn't know north from south. We called back and got directions from someone else and still coudn't find it. After giving up we started to head on out of town and then saw some of the landmarks that had been mentioned in the directions. I'm glad to say that once we found it , it was a very nice place with good food.



12. We headed to the Wisconsin Dells to see some sights and try a seafood buffet we'd read about (yes, many of our travel destinations involve food - Hubby loves to cook, I love to eat, it's all good). We arrived to find that the sidewalks are rolled up until after Memorial Day (two days later) and NOTHING was open.

13. The silver lining was that there was a Sinclair gas station. We hadn't seen one in years and my husband was excited because it was the kind of station his grandfather had owned.



Overall it was a good trip - and did I mention that I got to mark off TWO more states!


(as always you can click on the pictures to "biggify")