Bloggy Book Club

Jane Austen's Persuasion was this month's choice for Bloggy Book Club and I have to admit it has been ten years or more since I have read a Jane Austen book and I have never read Persuasion before now.
Persuasion was, like Northanger Abbey published after Miss Austen's death. The book begins in the Summer of 1814 and peace has broken out; and the Navy is home. A vain widower, Sir Walter Elliot due to his finances is forced to rent out his family's estate to an Admiral Croft, and move with his eldest daughter, Elizabeth to Bath. Anne Elliot the youngest daughter, visits her very whiny married sister, Mary before she joins her father and older sister in Bath.
Anne, years before was engaged to Admiral Croft's brother-in-law, Captain Frederick Wentworth but after her family and a family friend, Lady Russell disapproved of the engagement, Anne called it off . She does still feel love for him however these many years later.
Eventually after some misunderstandings on both of their parts...they realize that both feel as they once did and marry.
I wanted to enjoy this book so very much but I have to admit...I struggled to get through it. It seems so predictable and I kept thinking and comparing it to other Jane Austen novels...to the point that I had totally frustrated myself. I haven't read Northanger Abbey, but found myself wondering what that book was like while reading Persuasion!
I don't think it has anything to do with Jane Austen's book but rather where my heart lies these days...I haven't read fiction in a while...I have read three books, one right after another about the Middle east or about religious conflicts. My mind just couldn't get to this place of simple genteel gestures...I am not however giving up! I am reading Northanger Abbey and after that
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler, in fact that will be the choice for September's Bloggy Book Club. This is an contemporary novel using Jane Austen's books and readers as a vehicle to engage us in her storytelling. You may link to this post or leave a comment if you have a review of Persuasion!

Housekeeping!

Okay...First go back and say "Housekeeping" like the character in Tommy Boy...
If you haven't seen the movie..
watch the dumb movie and then go back and say it like the character in Tommy Boy!

First, I am having a a little contest on my new blog Travel with Ronda called "Where's Ronda?"
Now...if I had a budget like the Today Show I would actually be at these locations now but I do not...these are trips I have taken in the past! This trip was taken in October of 2006!
Check it out! The first correct answer on Travel with Ronda wins a Thanksgiving Coffee Basket!

Second, I am playing Pay-it-forward again...this is my last time playing on my blog, however I will do this in the real world again, as I think it is a great idea and I will blog-ument about it later! So, here is how you play...The first three people who comment to this post will receive a gift from me...and you may play it forward in the blog world or real world. This doesn't have to be a monetary gift...it can and should be above else an act of kindness!
For those of you who are members of Bloggy Book Club...we will blog about Persuasion by Jane Austen on August 31 and since it's a Holiday weekend...whenever is fine!
Have a wonderful weekend!
I am having a very restful weekend with my Hubby and I wish you all that much fun!!!!

Where's Ronda?

For clues...visit Travel with Ronda

The first person to guess where I am in this photo and to post it as a comment on

Travel with Ronda wins a prize!

For more Friday Foto Finish Fiesta visit Candid Carrie.

I Am So Going to Get a Big Head!

I have received another award and I have spent the last ten minutes doing my best celebration dance! It is a cross between a rain dance and a pee pee dance! A sight to behold...I tell you!


Jill at Jill Jill bo Bill has further increased the circumference of my noggin' by giving me this swell award!
Thank you...and a shout out to all my peeps who made this possible!
(I want you to know that my adult children think I have lost my mind...but I am happy and who am I hurting...it's not like Momma's on crack, right?)

I am passing this award on to seven people whose blogs I love!
Gina at Lattes&Lipsticks
Brenda at Queen of Good Intentions
LoLo at The Simple Things
Karla at Zander & Me
Beth Ann at TeamThornhill
Teri at Let me think on it
Lisa at JujuBoo
Celebrate anyway you wish...you may dance the dance of your own choosing but here are your instructions.
1. The winner can put the logo on her/his blog
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated

I am opening the envelope and the winners are...

So...I as I was saying Lisa from JujuBoo gave me an award. It is not for the "biggest ass..." I read it wrong, it is The Kick Ass Blogger Award...a much nicer award... for sure!

Here are the rules:

1. Choose 5 bloggers that you feel are "Kick Ass Bloggers"

2. Let them know in your post or via email or blog comments that they have received an award.

3. Share the love and link back to both the person who awarded you and back to http://www.mammadawg.com/

4. Hop on back to the Kick Ass Blogger Club HQ to sign Mr. Linky then pass it on!

My Fab Five are...

Rhonda at A day in Rhonda's Life because she is so dang cool!

Nic at My Family and Other Animals because she uses words like OHHOLYMOTHEROFGODANDALLTHEBIGGYSAINTPEOPLE!

Kendra at Nest Half Empty because I seem to relate to all she writes about.

Jennifer at The Fun House because it IS always FUN at her house! and last but not least...

Blogstalker at The Blogstalker

I really enjoy this blog...just a lot of random stuff from a stalker type! I mean what's not to enjoy!

Okay, Here's What I am thinkin'

My Mood is much better...
I think such a load is lifted off our shoulders when we forgive and when we seek forgiveness and receive forgiveness. I know we all talk about World Peace but really...How many of us can really achieve peace in our own homes? It's not always easy to "get along," especially when family is close and when I say "We are always in each other's "bidness", I mean it... because we have a family business! Well, we all just do the best we can and with God's help it will be enough.

My Grandmother (Granny) is out of the hospital but she is still struggling with pain...our family will have some tough decisions to make about her continued care. We all want to do what is right for her as she has always been there for all of us. I thank God for my Mother and my Aunt who have worked around the clock to take care of her. As our society ages, we have got to get this right...or I see a great many families in peril, financially and emotionally!

I want to give a big shout out to my friend karyn...I share her with Brenda from Queen of Good Intentions but I wish you all a friend just like her...
She is the kind of friend who would always bail you out of jail...no matter what you did and tell you the truth about it..."Prison won't be so bad...you'll make lot's of friends!" I wish she had time to blog because she would be my first choice for the Kick Ass Blogger Award....
speaking of ...

I won one! Thank you Lisa from JujuBoo...I want you to know I didn't have my glasses on but...I quickly went and got them ...because I thought it said "Big Ass Blogger Award"...

I am not sure I would have recovered from that one! Thank you again and I will post my choices later this afternoon!

For more Think About it Thursdays visit Brenda at Queen of Good Intentions

Brother had Fun with Markers

For more Wordless Wednesdays visit 5 Minutes for Mom

What is Bliss, Anyway?

Let's see...
Well, I was reading over yesterday's post and I am wondering if I may get kicked out of the meme The Simple Woman...cause mine sounded glum and depressing!
Not much better today...but I am gettin' there!
I have a lot to be thankful for...my sparkling personality for one...Thank you God that I am always the life of the party...
Sarcasm, while not always appreciated is a lost art form and I do excel!
Oh God...I am a paragraph in this post and I am slipping back into pity party mode...
My biggest blessing right now are my friends...to quote the wise Jennifer Aniston "I have this tribe of women friends!" Well, Dear God I do, too! Real World and Blog World and I am so very grateful for people who literally and figuratively pick you up off the floor and say..
"It's okay...now get your fat butt up off the floor!"
and "It's not like you were dumped by Brad Pitt!"
Anyway, Thank you...you all know who you are and may I say..."My butt is not fat... I have a small head!
*** Special Note...I was just reading this over and I wanted to clear this up... I wasn't dumped by Hubby either! He's mad at me but he is still stickin' like glue...he would be a greater loss to me than Brad Pitt...I was being sarcastic!

Today...Not So Simple

Outside my window...the sun finally has come back to Florida...it feels like a long time away.

I am thinking...That God will have to put my family back together as I don't have the words or actions to do it.

I am wondering... why it needs to hurt so much.

I am creating...chaos, not meaning to but none-the-less I am.

I hope...that I can create peace for myself and others and accept newer and better relationships.

I am going...forward and I will not wallow in self-pity...well, not for much longer, anyway.

I am thankful...for my family's health and safety and for my answered prayers.

One of my favorite things...baking with my grandson.

I am reading...Persuasion by Jane Austen and thinking...Why, can't life be this simple again?

Picture thought...Peace and Bliss.

Okay...I don't have a picture thought to share but I am hoping for Peace and Bliss.

Go to The Simple Woman Daybook for more thoughts for today.

Sunday Salon

Happy Sunday Salon!

I really enjoyed finishing up The Faith Club...I highly recommend this book for anyone struggling with faith or current affairs in the Middle East or if you just enjoy a book about smart women getting to know one another better.

I have started Persuasion by Jane Austen for the Bloggy Book Club...very good and it inspired me to pick up The Jane Austen Book Club, which is a contempory novel by Karen Joy Fowler.

The prologue starts with...Each of us has a private Austen.

How could I resist that?

Thank you, Fifi....

Yesterday...such a blah day...stacks of paperwork...I am not exaggerating this point...stacks of paperwork...

Then the door bill rings...I look out the office window and Postman waves...

I haven't shopped in a long while...it's not my birthday...

I opened the door and there sits a package from Fifi...

I played her Pay-it-Forward game and won!

Ladies and Gentleman (that's not a typo...I have one guy who reads my blog)...I hit the jack pot!

It was a very good day and Fifi is a very talented person...I love them all...Thank you so very much!!

How do you like my blog bling? I am lovin' it!

friday foto finish fiesta

Can you hear me now?




Can you hear me now?

Now?

Now?

And...now?

Okay, Do you think the Hubby is trying to tell me something?

I mean, the phone... and not the obvious which is stop changing your hair styles!

See Carrie at Candid Carrie for more friday fotos!

Think About it Thursday...To Blog or Not Blog...

Well, I am thinkin'....

You should probably hang on to something because...it' going to be a bumpy ride! My mind is all over the place today...just so many things to think about... But, I was thinkin' about blogging and why I blog?

At first...I thought I don't know but ...I really enjoy it...I feel creative and it's the most successful I have been at keeping a journal of some sort...

My family's reaction to my blogging has been varied although surprised and perplexed might be a theme...
My Mom at my Father's 70th birthday party warned my Aunt who was talking to me...
"Be careful what you say...She will blog about it!"
As if...? Oh, wait I just did!

My kids were my biggest fans at first...now they don't even look at it! My daughter apologised for not looking at my blog because she had been so busy....
Without even thinking I said.." Oh, I have a fan base!"
I was serious!!!

My husband and I were driving to Jacksonville/St. Augustine for business and dinner at my favorite restaurant and we were staying overnight...
I was talking to my daughter on the phone, telling her all our plans...When the Hubby says ..."I forgot the lap top..."
Without a trace of Irony and I said "But, what about my blog?"
My daughter burst out laughing and told her husband...
"My Dad forgot the lap top and my Mom just said ...But, What about my blog?" (More laughter heard)
Again, I was serious!

Well, I am enjoying the blogging...
I told my friend Karyn that I was spending money on pimping out my blog and she asked how much?
I told her (I am not printing it 'cause I haven't told my Hubby, yet?)
She seemed surprised as I haven't even spent money on clothes (clothes shopping is or was my ultimate pastime) and she said "a month?"
No...a one time fee! "Oh" she says "That's okay!"

What is happening to me and what is very surprising is how I feel connected to all of you...
I care about Nic and that her in-laws might be in danger in Georgia... I pray for their safety!
Keeps always makes me laugh as she is so clever...
I love, love to read Jennifer and all that is happening at the Fun House...even when she makes me cry...talking about her little girl...
Carrie at Candid Carrie always funny but at a turn can break your heart with a very real truth that she lives with everyday and thrives doing it! She is a thriving survivor!
I love to share my book adventures with the Sunday Salon and other book readers!
Gina at Lattes and Lipstick who shared her story about George and her smart and loving fund raising idea...
There is so many and I am grateful for your sharing as you have given me a sense of community...that I didn't know was lacking in my life. I work from my home now and I miss co-workers...partners in crime if-you-will...Thanks for being my partners in crime! I mean that in the very nicest way!
Again, I am serious!

For more Think About it Thursdays visit Brenda at Queen of Good Intentions

Make my Momma Proud

I apparently have a bar stool named after me!

Ronda Bar Stool

I also started a new blog for Travel called ....Travel with Ronda...it is not quite as exciting as that bar stool but I am working on it!

Wordless Wednesday

For more Wordless Wednesdays visit 5 minutes for Moms

Pay it Forward Prizes in the Mail!

Life Is Good Mug for Beth Ann at TeamThornhill News


Life is Good Book from Life is Good for Kendra at Nest Half Empty

A lunch Tote from Life Is Good for Lolo at The Simple Life

Chocolate Lover's Basket from Thanksgiving Coffee

for A Day in the Rhonda's Life

I put all your names in a basket ( I did four because the times were really close) and drew your names out and this is what you will get! Hope you enjoy it...because I enjoy reading your blogs!

Stormy Weathers

When I was about six or seven and we were living here in Tampa, (which did not happen very often as my Father was in the Navy and we have lived EVERYWHERE...) there was a tornado warning while I was in school! We all huddled under our desks and even at six or seven, I remember thinking this isn't a good room to be in with all the glass windows! The teacher was calm but it didn't matter...I was afraid and wanted my Mom ...I have grown up with Hurricanes and Tornadoes and I have been in several but I still get afraid! I guess, I always will! Anyway, we have Tropical Storm Fay headed our way but she really isn't that big of a storm just a lot of wind and rain...
but still enough to make me feel lika a little girl under her desk wanting her Mom!

Game On!

While visiting Fifi Flowers Design Decor I discovered she has this great game that focuses on "paying it forward" and I wanted to play (and win) which I don't think is really in the spirit of the rules but...I do want to be a kinder and gentler Ronda so ....Game on!


HERE ARE THE RULES: The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and pay it forward.This is how it works... I am going to agree to send something fun, cute, & nice to the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this information and pick 3 people they want to send something to and so on. Unfortunately, due to postage costs, I can only pay it forward within the United States. If you are interested in participating, be one of the first 3 blog owners to leave a comment! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found. Just a gift that will make the person smile. There are no cost restraints, but don't go crazy! If you'd like to join in, be one of the first 3 people to leave me a comment. You have to promise that you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, and then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. I hope people like this idea. It's a small way to bring a smile to some one's face!
***Now, I have some readers that are from the UK and I am very partial to them so...I WILL send it to them, not sure what but I WILL send to the UK or anywhere else for that matter!

Sunday Salon

I missed last week's Sunday Salon...so much paperwork at work...not much time for reading.

I have almost just finished (about ten pages left to go) The Faith Club by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner...I have really enjoyed this book.
...The cover states the book is a memoir of spiritual reflections in three voices that will make you feel you are eavesdropping on the authors' private conversations, provocative discussions, and often controversial opinions and conclusions. The authors wrestle with the issues of anti-Semitism , prejudice against Muslims, and preconceptions of Christians at a time when fundamentalists dominate the public face of Christianity...
I thought this was well written and I loved the idea of the narrative told by three different authors...I was afraid at first it might be confusing but it wasn't and in fact made it less confusing because the incident or conversation was made three dimensional by the different voices...it wasn't this flat telling of the facts.
I do recommend this book if you are struggling with what is happening in the Middle East...of course this is not a history book but rather a story of three women wanting to understand and be understood!
The final chapter instructs on how you might start a Faith Club and I have to say I would very much like to be involved in such a group. They have a website...The Faith Club that gives detailed information if you are interested in starting one!

Break-a-way...

We did finally take a bit of a break from work...not a whole day mind you but...enough for me to remember what and who my Hubby is...
We had lunch at my favorite restaurant...Harry's in St. Augustine. The food is great and so is the atmosphere especially in the evenings outside in the courtyard. I love the city, rich with history and teaming with tourists...I love watching people...so the more the merrier is how I feel about people! I wish I had pictures to prove I actually got away but we forgot the camera...I was tempted to post old pictures but my children would have ratted me out in a heart beat!
St. Augustine is the oldest city in Florida...and besides San Fransisco...it is my favorite city. I love the Bed and Breakfasts and that you can walk or ride a bike all over town. We will be going back in December and staying at one of their great Bed and Breakfast on the water! The city is all decorated with lights for Christmas and the carriage rides are so much fun!
Sorry...no pictures...my husband did take a picture of me with his camera phone...it may take us awhile to post it...we are a little slow...

friday foto finish fiesta

Muir Woods with the Hubby..October 2007

Hubby and Me!

San Fransisco

Bubba and Me! Life is Good!

Irish Coffee is also Good!

Cupcakes are even better!


October 2007...visiting Bubba in San Francisco

For more friday foto visit Candid Carrie

Think About it Thursday...

I am thinkin'...

Well, yesterday while I was dressing I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I immediately went back in my mind to 8th grade, after swimming practice, in the changing room I was putting "the girls" back into my training bra...
This mean girl comes up to me and says real mean like..."Your boobs are too high!"
"My boobs are too high?" I say meekly and she says "Yeah, your boobs are too high!"
I am just beside myself, because while I seriously knew they were quite small...it just never occurred to me that they could be too high! I mean just my luck...I have small, too high boobs!
I worried about this until I started discreetly checking other girls out and I discovered I seem to fit it with everyone but... the really busty mean girl!
Anyway, while dressing yesterday, it occurred to me...my boobs are no longer too high!
I am wondering what that busty mean girl is looking at in the mirror!!


I have also decided Dr. James Dobson has finally lost his mind...Stuart Shepherd, director of digital media, for Focus on the Family is asking people to pray that we will have raining of biblical proportions for the Democratic National Convention on August 28, 2008... I guess he thinks only his Christian peeps know what to do with that kind of rain...but my Christian peeps know how to build an ark, too!
Read about it and see the video at Carpet Bagger Report

I had joked with Amelia Bedelia that I was going to do something different this Friday, instead of work even if it meant rob a bank... like a good blogger she said if I do... will I let her know so she can post on it!
As if....
If I rob a bank, I am going to at least get a good post out of it... I need good stories, too!

For more interesting thoughts, as she gets out more often than me... visit Queen of Good Intentions

Wordless Wednesday

For more Wordless Wednesdays see 5 Minutes for Mom

Tuesday...Tell Me More

Let's see what to tell...
The Hubby and I knew of each other in 9th grade French class...he was the Teacher's Pet and I was the moody girl in the back of the room. His earliest memory of me is of me getting off the bus and walking home wearing a jacket that read Have a Nice day!...I had just moved from New Quay, England, where my Dad had been stationed.When we moved back to the states and I had acquired a very strong British accent and boys made fun of me daily. Lot's of boys teased me, at the time I thought this might mean I was hideously deformed but looking back I think they might have liked me otherwise I wouldn't have had any attention at all. I withdrew from most people because of it though...I had been popular and out -going until then and the teasing took a toll on me. I think many military brats understand that when you move it is an opportunity to reinvent yourself...sometimes, just not for the better. For the next two years, I had one friend, her father was strict like mine. During the 70's it was very normal for High School kids to get high and I was too afraid of my Dad to EVER try anything like that. It was difficult to find friends who weren't getting high...A few guys asked me out but I knew it would lead to me getting in trouble because of their drug use...so I didn't date. My parents were worried about me...my two younger sisters had already started dating but I wasn't. It was then...during this time...my Granny prayed for a "nice boy" to find me. And he did...only
...he was dating a girl, who would drop by where he and I worked. We were in 11 th grade by now and he would act like a jerk and I would tell him what a jerk he was...he was smitten! Not with the girl who was nice to him but with the girl (me) who was telling him he was being a jerk! He asked me out but I told him no...he kept asking! I liked him but I knew my best friend liked him and I didn't want to hurt her. I finally said "Look, I won't go out with you but...my friend really likes you!" All very "High School" because that's what is was.
He went to her and said that he really liked me and would she talk to me and she did! I went out with him on a Friday night and with the exception of one other night, every night since then. I wished I could say we married and lived happily ever after...we did but it isn't the fairy tale version of happily ever after. We have been married for over 31 years and it has been hard work...we married very young and we are very different people. I am outspoken and opinionated, passionate and loyal with a wicked temper! He is soft spoken, hardworking, kind but not very thoughtful and disorganized. We drive each other bananas most of the time. It is our commitment to our marriage that has kept us together many, many times and then by a thread!
I have often envied those who have such quiet and restrained marriages but I willing take the bad with the good because I have had some of the best moments of my life with him and that's as happily ever after as I need!

Pedicures and Ponderings...

My Hubby actually took a half a weekend off...meaning he only worked until noon on Saturday. We had lunch out and then he took me to get a manicure and pedicure. He does know how to woo me!

While getting my pedicure I realized the last one I had was the day I got the tattoo with the only daughter, quite some time ago. I also, realized I had promised to post a picture of the tattoo and here it is...over all I am pleased although it is larger than the only daughter's. As I have said I am glad I have it but I won't do it again...I got the one I wanted and it frankly hurts too much for me to have another.
During my pedicure...
an Asian women while doing my pedicure was talking to me and I was having a hard time understanding her, in addition to her accent she said she had hurt her tongue.
But, she looked at my tattoo and asked if it was a tattoo...I said "Yes." She said "Way yoohaanofasonyafis?" "I'm sorry...I don't understand..." She said more loudly and not much clearer but while pointing to my tattoo..."WAY YOO HAAN NO FAS ON YA FIS?"
"Why don't I have a face on my fish?" I asked ...she nodded yeah "Way nau?"
I explained when early Christians wanted to know if someone they first met were a fellow believer they would draw the single arch in the sand and then if the second person was a believer he would intersect the first arch with a second arch making the fish symbol.They would know a fellow believer while not endangering them to possible persecution. It is a symbol only a fellow believer would know, as Jesus was said to make "fishers of men"....she nodded and said again "Yeh, way nau a fas, too?
I don't know...

It was then that it dawned on me... some people will thinkI have a faceless fish tattoo. I thought this ancient symbol was no longer a mystery now-a days...I was wrong...we can still share the story!

The Fun House Giveaway!

Please check out Jennifer at The Fun House she has an amazing giveaway, and I mean amazing!
Beautiful bath stuff, which is my favorite thing to do! I usually combine it with reading while soakin" and I am in heaven.
So click on over to see Jennifer at The Fun House...she always has amazing stories with pictures that involve exotic foods. What more could you want? ...she has 5 beautiful children and it is always fun at The Fun House.

Are we there yet?

Our family...isn't getting along and I seem to be at the epicenter of it. Surprise! I have said before, we have a family business and most days it is really fun! Really! But, it hasn't been fun in a really long time...The economy has taken a toll on us, they say Florida is in a recession...another big surprise. We have made it past the time we hadn't any work of any kind...just small jobs and volunteer opportunities with Habitat... which we love to do regardless. But, paying jobs are kind of nice, too. Now, when we have a lot of work ahead of us and while we should feel blessed and grateful, we don't. We all feel tired, angry, frustrated, misunderstood and confused! All the things that happen in a normal workplace...grumbling, complaining about the "man" bickering, however, it has been hard for me to listen as this is my husband they are talking about. My "still at work" husband...who wants still to provide for his family, no matter how large that family has grown. Our children are hardworking, good people but they have all been overworked and stressed to their breaking point. It would seem so have we...
Please pray for our family as we change our relationships and our business structure. I know God does have good things in store for us because we are faithful but it does seem "dark" right now...Our best moments in our life has been watching our son make our business grow...and now he is going to make another business grow and that will make us even more proud. He is a shining star!
While reading Three Cups of Tea, I found this Persian proverb...

When it is dark enough, you can see the stars!
I am looking...

I Was Tagged

Okay, Nic at My family and Other Animals tagged me...I am just glad we aren't playing paintball!
Rules...Use only one word to answer and then tag four people!

1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Your significant other? working!
3. Your hair? Brown/grey!
4. Your mother? kind
5. Your father? loyal
6. Your favorite thing?reading
7. Your dream last night?sad
8. Your favorite drink? coffee
9. Your dream/goal vacation
10. The room you're in? office
11. Your hobby? blogging
12. Your fear? apathy
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Virginia
14. What you're not? pushover
15. Muffins?blueberry
16. One of your wish list items? peace
17. Where you grew up? everywhere
18. The last thing you did? fax
19. What are you wearing? shorts
20. Favorite Gadget?none
21. Your pet? sweet
22. Your computer?old
23. Your mood?sad
24. Missing someone? son
25. Your car? none
26. Something you are not wearing?shoes
27. Favorite Store? Talbots
28. Like someone? BFF
29. Your favorite color? Red
30. When is the last time you laughed?today
31. Last time you cried?today

So, I tag Jennifer, Kendra, Brenda and LoLo

Life

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity;
an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
- Sir Winston Churchill

So what your saying is... This is going to be difficult!
-Ronda's Rants

friday foto finish fiesta

I have posted this before for the grand- daughter's birthday but...frankly I need to see it again!

The grandson is so cute and this will be the highlight of my day!Today is my brother-in-law's birthday!! For more friday foto's...see Candid Carrie

Think About it Thusday

I am thinkin'...

that many times I define myself by my problems instead of my joys...thinking not how full my life is ... but rather how empty my checkbook maybe at the moment.
I say God is so big...but I think my problems are so big God can't handle them.
I struggle to admit I need help while rushing to help others...
I am thinking of one of my favorite scriptures...

And we know that in all things God works together for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

For more Think About it Thursdays visit Brenda at Queen of Good Intentions

Wordless Wednesday

Ritz Carlton, Lake Las Vegas...Our 30th Wedding Anniversary

Go to 5 Minutes for Mom for more Wordless Wednesdays

My idea of Summer Fun...enter a contest at 5 Minutes for Mom with your idea of Summer Fun!

Tuesday...Tell Me More!

I thought maybe since it was Tuesday...and it is now my 101st post...I might tell you a little more about me, that 100 posts could not...



I am 50 and I discovered one night watching my grandson that I was fearful and he is fearless! I want to be fearless...I do spend a lot of my time worrying what might happen if I did so and so. I tend to be a careful person by nature! I don't want to be reckless just less fearful! So, I started this blog and rode a motorcycle and while reading a book with a church group, I have made some changes in my life to live a more sustainable life and to care more for God's creation and his people, all of his people!
I have become a vegetarian, almost a vegan although, I have some seafood so maybe I am a "Sea Wee Vegan." My Hubby is not thrilled with these changes as He LOVES meat however, he is supportive!
I know, not everyone agrees with me and that is okay...I am trying to be fearless and be what God wants me to be. It's personal and that is why I am sharing it with the world! Tee Hee


It's Tuesday...Tell Me More!

George and Gina...Fearless!!!

George and Gina...

First, they are the cutest couple ever!

Second, George has cancer, he also has a wife who adores him and she is not just a pretty face...She is smart with a great idea that she has fearlessly ran with. To raise money for George's treatments not covered by his insurance , she is selling cookbooks...For one dollar, you may have a cookbook and the knowledge that you are helping George and Gina... and then you may forever be known as a friend of George and Gina!

Please go to Friends of George and buy a cookbook. The Sweet Potato Casserole and Agnes' Zucchini Bread look really yummy but there are other's just as good!

Read their story...

or visit Gina at Lattes & Lipsticks

OUR STORY:Our names are George & Gina Williamson. We have been married for nearly 17 years. When George turned 50 he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. After radical surgery and painful radiation failed to cure his cancer, George opted to take an alternative route using diet and supplementation. His health greatly improved and he has felt better than he has in years. As he puts it, he is a "specimen of health" outside of cancer. However, his PSA levels did still continue to rise over the next several years.In 2007 we victoriously enjoyed a Cancer Survivor Day Cruise. George was in his 6th year of survivorship at this point, surprising the doctors that he had made it this far, with no symptoms- and no metastasis. But still that pesky PSA rising...In spite of uncertainties we have opted to enjoy life to its fullest- because none of us have tomorrow guaranteed, anyway! George just had a birthday- he is now 57.He also just had some scans done after a pretty substantial PSA jump. For the first time, there is visible metastasis in his hip bone.Why am I telling you all this??Because of our belief in following a more natural path toward healing (and because of the lack of any curative options from the medical world), we have determined that George will be treated at an alternative treatment center in California- http://www.issels.com/ However, because it is alternative, insurance will NOT pay for it, and payment is required up front, in full.We are not wealthy people- as aren't most people!Therefore, we have realized that if this is going to be a reality, we need to be CREATIVE.An idea occurred to me one day while I was brushing my teeth...If I were to sell SOMETHING of SOME VALUE for only$1.00and I sold 20,000 of it that would be $20,000-and that would be just about enough to send my husband to this treatment center.BUT WHAT???And then it hit me-RECIPES!!Everyone loves to share recipes.So I have chosen to compile a collection of recipes from "Friends of George"and sell them for only $1.00.And every penny goes directly into a fund solely created to send my husband to this treatment center.Hey...It might sound crazy.But it might be crazy enough to work.And I'm crazy enough about this guy to do anything to keep him around-for a very long time.Friend, can you spare $1.00???Thank you, and God bless you!!

Sunday Salon

Not much reading today...

However, this evening I will curl up with...

The Faith Club by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner.

The cover states it is about a Muslim, a Christian, and a Jew-

Three women search for understanding. I am only in about a fourth of the way but, I am very interested and hopeful it works out well...I guess since they have written a book together, that is at least a good sign.

Also, still on my nightstand...

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner, A New Kind of Christian by Brian D Mc Laren, Marley & Me by John Grogan and I will reread this week because I want to....

To Soon to Say Goodbye by Art Buchwald... because it was!

Granny

I stayed last night with my Granny at the hospital. This is the shift my Aunt normally takes 8pm-8am and my Mom does the daytime shift. They have done this for two weeks straight...The picture is of Granny at her 90th birthday party...she is 91 now. She was the picture of health at her party and everyone was amazed at how healthy and good she looked. This last year, has not been kind to her and this recent fall has been especially hard. She is doing better, still in some pain and they have discovered that besides the compressed fracture in her spine she has a torn ligament in her knee. We are unsure what the Doctor will do in regards to that injury. I will say... the nurses that were with Granny last night were kind and helpful and I am so grateful!

One nurse said Granny looked years younger than she is...

Granny smiled, and said "I feel years older!"

friday foto finish fiesta

This is fearless...Hey, I am in a bathing suit!!