HAPPY NEW YEAR

Thoughts for 2011 . . .

May you always make the right moves.

May your cup runneth over with love.

May you always find shelter from any storm.

May you remain good looking and looking good!

May you find the perfect diet for your soul.

May you find perfect balance in the company you keep.

May you have as much fun as you can before someone makes you stop.

May the worst thing that happens to you come in slobbery pink and furry tan.

May you manage to make time for siesta.

May all the new folks you meet be interesting and kind.

May your accessories always harmonize with your natural beauty!

Should your mouth be bigger than your stomach, may you have a chewing good time!

May you always know when to walk away and know when to run.

And may your friends always bring you joy!

HAVE A WONDERFUL YEAR . . . FILLED WITH LOVE, HAPPINESS, AND HOPE.

RESULTS: 100+ Reading Challenge

So, back on January 3rd, I started this challenge. I didn't make it to 100, but I think I did pretty good....46 books in all! You can see my final list below!



I got this idea from J. Kaye's Book Blog.

HERE IS THE LIST OF BOOKS I READ THIS YEAR....

1. PROGLOGGER by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett
2. Witch & Wizard by James Patterson
3. Syren by Angie Sage
4. Relentless by Dean Koontz
5. The Tenth Case by Joseph Teller
6. On Becoming Baby Wise book 2 by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam
7. Parenting Isn't for Cowards by Dr. James Dobson
8. Wild Things by Stephen James and David Thomas
9. Bring Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson
10. Precious by Sapphire
11. The House of Thunder by Dean Koontz
12. The Sculptor by Gregory Funaro
13. Worst Case by James Patterson
14. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
15. A Mercy by Toni Morrison
16. Religious Literacy by Stephen Prothero
17. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
18. The Poet by Michael Connelly
19. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
20. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
21. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
22. Nefertiti by Michelle Moran
23. The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran
24. Teaching as Leadership by Steven Farr
25. Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
26. The Missing by Beverly Lewis
27. The Telling by Beverly Lewis
28. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
29. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
30. The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
31. The Last Child by John Hart
32. Green by Ted Dekker
33. Black by Ted Dekker
34. Red by Ted Dekker
35. White by Ted Dekker
36. Potty Training 1-2-3 by Gary Ezzo and Anne Marie Ezzo
37. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin
38. Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
39. Serial by Jack Kilborn and Blake Crouch
40. The People of the Mist by Henry Haggard
41. Tenth Stone by Brodie and Brock Thoene
42. Eleventh Guest by Brodie and Brock Thoene
43. Troublesome Creek by Jan Watson
44. Willow Springs by Jan Watson
45. The Cay by Theodore Taylor
46. Torrent Falls by Jan Watson

A Mirror or a 2-Way Glass?

2 Way Mirror

COATED SIDE - no gap between finger and reflection

One Way or Regular Mirror

UNCOATED SIDE - gap between finger and reflection

How can you tell when you are in a room, restroom, motel etc. with a mirror or a 2-way glass?

Here's how: I thought it was quite interesting! And I know in about 30 seconds you're going to do what I did and find the nearest mirror.

Do you know how to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not? A policewoman who travels all over the US and gives seminars and techniques for businesswomen passed this on.

When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., how many of you know for sure
that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror (i.e.,
they can see you, but you can't see them)? There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms . It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by looking at it.

So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at?

Just conduct this simple test: Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there
is a GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is GENUINE mirror. However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE! IT IS A 2-WAY MIRROR!

"No Space, Leave the Place" So remember, every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything.

REMEMBER. No Space, Leave the Place!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY #99...Can you see me?

For more WORDLESS WEDNESDAY pictures go to 5 MINUTES FOR MOM.

30 DAYS OF TRUTH...DAY #11

SOMEONE OF SOMETHING YOU DEFINITELY COULD LIVE WITHOUT.

This will be easy...

* People who don't know how to use their turn signals
* People who complain
* Overly dramatic people
* People who act entitled
* Mean people
* Drunk drivers
* Teenagers
* Those who don't support the military
* Hairballs
* Micro-managers
* Super Models
* OMG
* Jeremiah Johnson
* Ants
* Peas
* Dirt
* The Jersey Shore
* David Hasselhoff
* Rudeness
* Terrorism

TIME CARD - December 19-25

I am keeping track of how many hours I work during this school year. My contract only pays me to work 183 days a year, from 7:30-2:30 (that is 1189.5 hours). We are not told we have to work extra hours, but there is no way I could plan, correct papers, make copies, make phone calls, etc., just working to contract. Usually I arrive there at 6:15 a.m. and leave around 3:30 p.m. Then when Samuel is in bed for the night, I do at least another couple hours of work. I also take stuff home on the weekends.

This week I worked 15 hours.

Total to date: 967.50 hours.

BACK TO NORMAL

Sam helped me take down the Christmas tree ornaments. 

He loves playing peak and and hide-and-seek!

 All the decorations are tucked away until next year.

The train village on his new table is ready and waiting.

Here is the little play area I've set up. Sam also has a basket ball hoop on the other side of the room and 3 baskets of toys under the coffee table. On Tuesday we are taking a run to the consignment store. The back of my CRV will be full. I am so happy to have reduced his toy load. Richard still needs to take down the lights outside, but after all the help he gave me in the morning, he is taking a much deserved break and watching a football game, while Sam naps.

I have to brag about one other gift I got. My 86 year old mother, (who by the way had a stroke last February...but you'd never know it by all progress she has made) cross-stitched this GORGEOUS picture of Samuel for us. She's done one of these for all my siblings (there are 8 of us in all), of their children, too. It's amazing! Ok, I'm done bragging!

SUNDAY INSPIRATION

 My soul magnifies the Lord. Luke 1:46

"Words of faith do not originate from a vacuum. What spills out during the times when I am stretched to my limit reflects the kind of faith I have cultivated previously. A well known bible teacher said, "Who I am when hard times hit is really who I am." True! The words I speak during my most painful moments are a mirror that reflects the foundation of my life.


Hannah endured the scourge of barrenness and when she was finally touched by the divine hand of God, she delivered a famous discourse that spanned a dozen verses. It is one of the most prophetic words in all of scripture.


Elizabeth also suffered the heartache of being childless, yet through it, she also cultivated her faith. She learned the Word of God, built the precepts of it into the fabric of her life, and when God visited her with a child in her old age, she also rose to prophesy. (And, she was the first to recognize the Messiah, though just a 3 month-old baby in Mary's womb!)


Eloquence is not confined to adults. Mary was merely a teenager when she was visited by an angel. Given a task that would have crushed most grownups, she also rose up to deliver the famous Magnificat. The fact that such words could flow from a twelve year old is an indication that her childhood was also spent learning the scriptures. She didn't just speak shallow words of praise. She also highlighted the 'ways of God' that could only be known by one who had reviewed God's dealings with His people throughout Israel's history.


Human nature wants to coast during the good times, only drawing close to God when the fires of adversity get hot. God is gracious and will certainly answer us whenever we cry out for help, but there is a better way. I can fortify my heart today by the choices I make with my time. If I make sure to feed my spirit through careful study of the Word of God, through listening prayer, through deliberate searching of God's heart in matters great and small, I create a storehouse of spiritual food that will serve me well when there's famine. When hunger and thirst visit my front door, I will not be shocked to hear hopeless and fearful words come out of my mouth. What spills out will be the sweet waters of faith."

By Christine Wyrtzen

CHRISTMAS 2010....by Samuel

My Mommy and Daddy are very tired so they are letting me write this post.

This is Christmas Eve. I got to open a few presents early! Bubble wrap is so much fun!

I love opening and closing little doors.

Fire engines make cool noises!

I love my little Matchbox car from Daddy!

These fireman boots are great!

I had a wonderful day. This is my favorite picture with Mommy!!!

Cardboard tubes are wonderful toys!

Here I am explaining to Aunt Genie that she shouldn't put cat food in the stuffing!

Aunt Genie really needs to clean out this refrigerator.

Aunt Genie is sooooo funny!

This is my Na-Na and Pa-Pa! They have been married for 64 years. I love them!

I love having my toes tickled!

Daddy is putting stickers on my jeans!

Aunt Genie really makes me laugh!

Here I am helping pass out presents and showing everyone how to have fun!

I had a great day with my wonderful family! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too!