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Showing posts from 2010

Trying to decide whether or not to rebel

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I stay up until midnight often. Therefore, I've been known to rebel and go to bed early on New Year's Eve. So, I'm debating what I'm going to do. Sitting at home alone working on something is nothing new, exciting or different. I did go to Sonic and get a Diet Coke with cherry and vanilla. I splurged 40 cents and had them throw a couple of cherries in. And I have Pawn Stars and American Pickers on. That's real exciting. I blame my parents for that. Never watched either of them before they got me into it. Before we went to LeClaire, IA, I had seen American Pickers all of one time. Since we weren't able to go into their building because of taping, I can't tell you how many times I've seen the show. I guess if I ever go back to Vegas that I'll have to go meet Chumlee.

Passport Through Darkness: A True Story of Danger and Second Chances

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Life on the Edge One Woman’s Extreme Journey to Finding a Life That Matters Each one of us longs to know we matter. We hunger to know that we have purpose, our life has meaning, and God dreams great dreams for us. In Passport Through Darkness: A True Story of Danger and Second Chances , Kimberly Smith invites us into her own struggles as an ordinary woman who feels those aches, asks those questions, and stumbles through a quest to find her place in a broken world. Smith was an average American woman—a wife, mother, corporate executive, and faithful church member. But she knew something was missing from her life. When a bone-chilling experience awakened her desire to find true purpose, Smith and her family began a lifelong adventure serving those who never knew a greater purpose could exist. Traveling around the world and deep into the darkness of her own heart, Smith’s worst fears collided with her faith as she and her family discovered the atrocities of human trafficking. But in

Health Care You Can Live With: Discover Wholeness in Body and Spirit

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Dr. Scott Morris calls on the Church for true health care reform Have we considered what Jesus’ response would be to health care reform? And as Christians called to be influencers of culture, shouldn’t we be informed and knowledgeable enough to dialogue intelligently about the subject? Medical doctor and ordained Methodist minister G. Scott Morris tackles the thorny issues surrounding health care and answers the ultimate question of what is true health in his upcoming release, Health Care You Can Live With: Discover Wholeness in Body and Spirit. Health Care You Can Live With is an astute and biblical perspective of total wellness that empowers the individual to ultimately see from Jesus’ example what it means to be human and to be intimately connected to God in that humanity. “Jesus asks us to care about what he cared about—wellness and wholeness. Healing that flows through personal care, preventive activities, medical methods, and technology announces that the kingdom of God is

Merry Christmas to all

Alas, another Christmas has come and almost gone. I started with that sentence about two hours ago once I got home and sat upon my couch. Once I had made my blog post, I had planned to start dismantling my decorations and packing them away for next year. I got sidetracked. I've kind of thought that my heater wasn't working just right at my house. The past two nights, I have walked in and smelled gas. My dad tried to assure me that if I smelled gas that my house would have already blown up. I was more skeptical. When I got home tonight, I called him and said, "are you sure I would have blown up by now?" "Yes..." So, he calls back in about 30 minutes. "Is it any better?" "Well, I don't notice it now that I've been in here a while." "Do you want me to come over?" "Well, I would like a second opinion before I call Atmos." "Fine, I'm on my way." As he is on the way over, I'm think

Christmas Whimsy

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Mischievous matchmakers, Two special tickets, One unlikely couple An evening for romance at the annual Christmas Ball In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball. Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together. This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday? My review:  Every year I try to read a little Christmas book, making it a tradition of sorts. Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball was the book that filled this y

Uh, can we talk later?

Last Tuesday, I had to go to the dentist to get a cavity filled. It was a quick in and out, but I think I got an elephant's dose of Novocaine. Not because of how numb my mouth was, but because of how woozy I felt afterwards. I was out at 4 PM and could have gone back to work, but thought, "no, don't really feel like that. I feel like a nap. I should go on home." So, I came home, settled on the couch and was about ready to close my eyes when the phone rang. I really don't know why I have a home phone. I knew no one without a real purpose would be calling me at home before 5:00. "No, I'm not interested in credit card protection, but thanks for calling." Thank goodness I'm not a credit card phone solicitor though I do feel like a phone solicitor at times. I settle back down. The phone rings again. A few minutes before 5:00. SERIOUSLY?!?! I answer the phone. "Is this Audra Jennings?" Great. Another person sort of stumbling over my full

A strange experience

This past week has been rather strange in more ways than one. If I weren't trying to blog on the berry again I would start with last Tuesday. At the moment I am glued to my couch and do not consider getting up and turning on my computer on. Ironically, I am watching the Sing-Off and Neil Diamond is on. Ironic as that fits in with the story I was going to tell. A few weeks ago, I heard the Trans-Siberian Orchestra would be in Dallas. I decided this sounded like a good Christmas season thing to do. Jenny agreed, so we went yesterday. Strangest three hours of my life. Almost a full three hour concert. I figured it would be a bit different, but figured it would be mostly instrumental. I mean who has heard TSO sing on any of their songs on the radio? No one. There is a reason for that. It would have been one thing if they just sang your everyday Christmas songs, but their original material was beyond odd. I have no clue what the original songs were talking about. Jenny asked me if

I never realized it was a horror flick

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One time I read something about how TV Guide once described the Wizard of Oz. Something about a runaway girl meeting strangers on a journey or something like that. I don't remember exactly what it was, but you would think it was a movie with a lot more fright than some flying monkeys. That's not the point of my story tonight though. That was sort of like a preacher's tease going into his sermon. (You know what I'm talking about and you're already laughing.) The point of that illustration is to say it's all in how you tell the story. While factual, the TV Guide version, whatever it actually was did not really relay the movie as most people think of it. Well, I'm a bad aunt and told about a movie in a way that made my poor, sweet 6-year old PeyPey cry. Completely not my intention to scare her to tears, but what I did in this case. Last night, I was making them hot chocolate and told them to pick out a mug. I had several Christmas mugs, and I collect mugs

I have changed my position

I think I'm going to tell part of the story that I did not tell last night, but I have to decide how much to tell and how to tell it. That means you're going to have to wait a little while longer. Let's just say I have to laugh or I think I would cry. Here, I'll ask a question to see if we can get a discussion going. What is a no-no to say to someone if you want them to go out with you? What would scare you off before a first date?

the best stories sometimes cannot be told

I sort of really have a funny story to tell at my own expense. It involves being woozy and numb on Novocaine and being caught off guard with a phone call. To protect the innocent, I need to refrain. Do you know how hard it is to blog on a Blackberry and watch the Sing-Off at the same time?  I got home from church and had to catch up with Jenny, so I am just now starting it. I really like On the Rocks. Anyone else watching it? I would say more, but my cursor will not stay put and I keep typing all over the place which is frustrating. So is fixing errors via Torch.

Want chocolate? You've Got a Deal!

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Fitness expert Chantel Hobbs inspires readers to lose weight, get fit, and taste life at its very best You don’t have to hide it. You can love food right out in the open—and lose weight at the same time. With the latest release from Chantel Hobbs, Love Food and Live Well, you’ll know when to have carrot cake and when it’s time to just have a carrot. Let life coach and fitness expert Chantel Hobbs show you how to lose pounds to reach the weight that is right for you and then maintain it while enjoying healthy, delicious food. Built into this amazing plan is knowing that you can count on the occasional splurge with absolutely no guilt. Using personal inventories, original recipes, and simple eating plans, plus new exercises for strength training and aerobic fitness, Hobbs will inspire you to live well in every area of life. Her positive and highly motivating approach is changing the way dieters look at food and will inspire you to pursue a life of lasting health in body, mind, and

Shopping complete?

I sure hope so! Last night, I contemplated going to Waxahachie last night after work to finish up. I ended up passing through there today on my way to Arlington to fight the crowds. I did stop back in Waxahachie to buy the last gift because I was determined to finish before I got back home to Corsicana. There are certain members of my family that are difficult to buy for and knew coming home empty wouldn't be pleasant. I did see the items I ordered online and paid shipping for on one of my stops today. I am thinking of it as  paying $15 to have the three boxes to wrap the items in. At least I checked several license plates off my list to compete with my mother and Paige because it's a family battle. I even got a Delaware Nation, not to be confused with Delaware the state. I learned something today. The Delaware Nation is located in Oklahoma (that makes two Indian Nations that I've knocked off of my list). The reason it was so crowded in Arlington today is because people

A kookaburra up a gum tree

Of course, I always knew this, but never thought about it much... Last week while the Rockefeller Center Christmas lighting was on, they had a singer on from Australia. I forgot who the singer was. They pointed out that while it was cold in New York, it was summer in Australia at Christmas. (By the way, did you catch the live TV glitch where they started playing the Boyz II Men track when the "Internet sensation" girl from the Philippines was supposed to be singing with the piano accompaniment. Proof of the whole thing being lip-synched. I don't really have a problem with that, I'm just asking if anyone watched.) So, back to the point. Yes, I knew that it was summer at Christmas, but did you ever think about what their Christmas songs talk about. I mean, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, jack frost nipping at your nose." In South Africa or Brazil, you're not going to get frost bite on your nose, you're going to get sunburned. "Let it

Anyone want to go shopping for me?

First of all, I really need to go to the grocery store. My milk was 4 days past this morning, and 3 really is my limit. I hate going to the grocery store. Then, I only have one person completely checked off of my Christmas list. If anyone would like to shop for my brother and sister-in-law especially, I would be very appreciative. If you know either one of them and have suggestions, that would be wonderful as well.

Your chance to read the first chapter of City of Tranquil Light

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Thanks to everyone who took part in today's tour! It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book! You never know when I might play a wild card on you! Today's Wild Card author is: Bo Caldwell and the book: City of Tranquil Light Henry Holt and Co. (September 28, 2010 ***Special thanks to Audra Jennings, Senior Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Bo Caldwell’s short fiction has been published in Ploughshares, Story, Epoch, and other literary journals. Born in Oklahoma City in 1955, she grew up

As done as it is going to be

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Monday night, I put some more lights, some garland, took down some lights that I didn't like and decided to call the whole thing done. Although I could have put up two more small trees, put lots of lights in the windows (but those suction cups drive me bonkers), I decided this was enough. I could only find one big purple plate at Walmart at a time. (I actually saw one more I didn't get at a Walmart in Kansas City, but didn't get it. I waited out the fall sale to get everything cheaper a few weeks ago. Yes, I am purple obsessed, but it's not tacky. On another note, my legs ache so bad at the moment. I stood up all day helping my great-aunt pack up some stuff for a move. I wiped out because I got up way early for work Thursday and Friday, and Saturday is usually don't get out of bed until 9-something day. No such luck with that since Peyton awoke at 7:15 this morning. I should just go to bed now. OH, and here's the popcorn cob we bought in Kansas for the gi

Fun storybook for your little ones

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Thanks to all who participated in today's tour! It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book! You never know when I might play a wild card on you! Today's Wild Card author is: Robin Currie and the book: Baby Bible Christmas Storybook David C. Cook; Brdbk edition (October 1, 2010) ***Special thanks to Karen Davis, Assistant Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rev. Dr. Robin Currie is the Early Childhood Librarian/Preschool Liaison for the Glen Ellyn Public Library and serves on the staff of