Ten On Tuesday

1) Well I've been neglectful of my poor little blog haven't I?  How did a week manage to go by.... totally blew right by Thankful Thursday didn't I.... Sorry!  Life has been especially hectic and stressful... with this week really throwing it into high gear.  I promise to do better once we get past this Saturday.  I will elaborate on that in a moment...

2) Last Friday we spent date day... yes!  Day.. at Covered Bridge Festival.  We had an awesome time.  This was our self portrait.  Isn't my date cute?  We went to Bridgeton and Mansfield and walked till we were quite exhausted.  It was so worth it.  The days leading up to Friday were cold and rainy.  But, Friday?  It was sunny and just slightly cool.  It was perfect.  Loved spending the day with my husband. 

3) We didn't buy a ton of stuff.  A few antique milk bottles to use for storage in the bathroom.  A very cute snowman.. um snowgirl....ornament with a pink tutu on and holding pink ornaments... She was calling my name.  Tanner scored a lovely new collar bandanna... Isn't he quite the model.  Ok.. he probably wouldn't have picked the pretty fall leaves, but to offset the cuteness, we also got him a camo bandanna so he can be all manly next...

4) We of course had lots of yummy food.  Our new tradition is to share a Dottie's cinnamon roll.  Quite good!  We also had the BEST smoked pulled turkey sandwich.  YUM.  I wish I could go there again.  Then there was a pork chop sandwich for Darrel... sausage for me... and some yummy, warm, fresh made mini donuts to top it all off. 

I swear I'd go to Mansfield just to get these donuts.  GOOD stuff. 

5) Once we were done for the day at Covered Bridge we headed back to Terre Haute.  We hit the mall for a bit because of course.. we hadn't already walked enough.  After that we had a late dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings (our first visit there ever) which we learned is also known as B-Dubs?  I had heard the term before.. never knew it was in reference to Buffalo Wild Wings.  Yes. Apparently we are behind the times.  We had a great dinner there and would definitely go back.  One of my favorite things was not the wings.  It was the warm soft pretzels with queso cheese for dipping YUM.  I'd go there just for pretzels for a date night snack sometime.  Good stuff! 

6) My husband has seriously gone over to the dark side.  While getting the Garmin ready for our day Friday, he discovered that you could buy a bundle of Star Wars voices and vehicles for your Garmin.  Of course he had to do this immediately so for the whole trip I could hear Yoda say to us... "driven well you have... right you shall turn..."  I am so serious.  He also liked to pop on at random times and give us tidbits about the force.  Yes I am thinking he talked just a bit too much.  Did I mention that rather than a little car on the Garmin screen we now look like we are driving an X Wing Fighter....

7) The reason life has been incredibly hectic is in part due to all the details we have to take care of for a marriage conference we are facilitating at our church this weekend.  It is Friday Night and 9-4 on Saturday.  Until you host something like this you have no idea the details and work involved.  All a very good thing, for a very good cause and I'm glad we are doing it... but its making me a bit nuts.  The conference is called The Art Of Marriage.  Darrel and I have gone away to these conferences (called A Weekend To Remember) like 14 times.  The material is that good and always gives us a boost to our marriage.  We have a good marriage, but as the conference says generally you are either growing together or growing apart.  We want to keep growing together so we keep working on things and we always look at these weekends as a time to refocus and  make sure we are tuned in with each other. 

8) Was shopping on Amazon for a new planner the other day.  I got this one... was already needing to mark some dates in 2012.  So then I could either pay like $7 shipping... or I could order another book for $15 and get free shipping.  So I of course decided it was the perfect time to snag this book I've been eyeing.  That probably makes no sense right?  But in my head I could pay $7 for shipping or throw in another $8 and get a book I wanted and get something for my $7 other than shipping... did you follow all that?  You did?  You are good....

9) Just finished up this book.  It was good.  Good element of faith.  Good story.  I liked it... even though it was formatted weird on the Kindle.  I managed.  Started this book.  Liking it so far.  It seems funny, light and like an easy read.  Eager to see what happens to Charlotte!

10) Still been trying to be a runner.  I still can't run very far all at once but I am seeing improvement and learning what pace works for me.  I am noticing that it feels pretty good "feeling like a runner" for those moments when I can keep a pace for a fair amount of time.  I like it.  This is a good thing because I have never been too good at doing things I hate... Today I was telling myself you are a runner!  Maybe if I convince myself, that will work... you think?  Couldn't hurt.  It might help in those moments when I've run too far and want to pass out on the ground or hyperventilate... Those moments will pass too right? 

I hope to be back on Thursday. Not sure... I am baking all the desert for the conference.  I know... I'm nuts... But anyway my baking day is Thursday.  That and several other chores and probably any other conference details I haven't manged to take care of by that point.  I'll feel really good about all this when it's all done with Saturday night right?  So tune in on Thursday... if I don't manage to make an appearance look for me later in the weekend.  Hoping I can share some highlights!  Have a great week.  Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) This is how date night started.  3 pink roses and a perfect card.  Good start to date night?  I think um a big yes on that one.  My sweet husband said he realized the next day (Saturday) was Sweetest Day and so he thought I needed some flowers.  He was so right... I mean when don't I need pink roses? 

2) Next stop for date night?  Well since we were going to "town"... not to be confused with The Big City... we opted for La Carreta.  Yes.  Twice in 1 week.  What's not to love about that?  Since it was date night we decided to try something new.... the queso with seasoned ground beef in it.  Um did you know they serve that we extra melted cheese on top and hot tortillas?  Oh. My. Goodness.  That was so yummy.... Darrel liked all the extra cheese.  I liked the beef.  And then the tortillas... well I thought we were going to have to fight over the 3rd one... but I was nice and let my sweet husband have it. 

3) After dinner we headed straight to the theatre to see Courageous.  We have seen all the Sherwood Baptist films.... Flywheel, Facing The Giants, Fireproof, and now Courageous.  All were good good movies.  Courageous is now my favorite.  It had action right from the first seen.  It had humor.... have you seen it?  The whole what's your name?  Javier?  What's your name? exchange had us cracking up!  Loved the message.  Totally needed my hankie.  Very good.   Very thought provoking.  Awesome message and that is coming from a couple who are not parents.  Still loved it.  If you have not seen it?  Do not miss it!  Go now! 

4) Saturday we headed to Bedford to see my husband's parents.  We spent all day Saturday there and this GOOFY picture of me... is the best picture we managed to take.  How pitiful is that?  This was me telling my husband NOT to take my picture and for some reason I ended up looking like I live in la la land.... On another subject though.. how cute was this velour hoodie.... yes.  I just used the word hoodie.  Did I use it correctly?  I got it from QVC when I was ordering the new jammies... Love it.  It is quite soft and comfy which is a good thing for hoodies... and jammies. 

5) While visiting with Darrel's mom and Dad we were also with his cousin and went to visit another cousin and his wife.  Did you follow all that?  Mom, Dad, and cousins are all in their 70's or 80's.  They are all very sweet.  I found it amusing that while visiting,  the topics covered were how loud the music was at church, what medicines we were all taking...not taking... or could not afford, farming... turnips... whether or not cousin Sue's necklace looked like marijuana...(it didn't look a thing like marijuana...) um cancer.... and how much Darrel weighed... I thought perhaps I should have been recording it for funniest home videos.  ha!

6) My beloved Ugg slippers are getting a bit worn.  They may make it thru the winter... but should they meet their demise I am currently drooling over this pair.  They are similar to my current style, but they are more of a bootie style that comes up higher over the foot which means lots more furry plushness which would make my foot oh so happy.  If you do not own Ugg slippers....you need some.  Best.  Slippers.  Ever!

7) Currently I am reading They Almost Always Come Home.  Good book!  I am anxious to finish and find out what happens or happened to the husband.  My only complaint is the formatting on the Kindle.  Usually my Kindle books look just like the regular book.  This time not so much.  It seems to alternate page to page from centered format to left justified.... and the break in the pages is um not so much at the top of the page... a little annoying and hard to read around... so this should tell you how much I am liking the book because despite this... I am still reading and putting up with the annoying stuff....

8) My comfort craft distressing tool has arrived. This thing looks sooooo cool.  Now... should I ever scrap something again I will have to try it out! I keep planning to scrap again.  My room is clean... yet I never quite seem to manage to get myself in there!  My name is about to be up in the scrap tag line up for TSS so that will give me the kick in the pants I evidently need to get going!  Perhaps there is still hope of doing some of the other challenges and things on my scrapping to do list before the end of the month huh?

9)The week has not started well for me healthiness wise.... Sunday night... yet again during the night... I had a gall bladder attack.  When it was time for work Monday morning I was still hurting, nauseous and quite tired.  These attacks seem to wipe me out!  I ended up staying home and slept a good part of the day.  It hung on thru about noon today with the stomach pains/cramps and then to add to the fun today I was having serious plugged up hurting ears issues.... Add a little stress to that with things needing accomplished this week and next week and I was about ready to lose it completely.  My husband even came to see me on his lunch hour and help me out which helped me to pull myself together a small bit and make it thru the day.  Now by this evening gall bladder pains are gone.  Ears are better but sore... but am now hoping for a good Wednesday!  I am beginning to think I just need to find a way to skip Monday's all together!

10) Tomorrow morning my beloved Sophie and Syndey are making a trip to the vet. Yes... time to be spayed.  They have to stay overnight which means we will be without them for like what... a day and a half?  I am going to miss them so much!  I love being able to go hug them whenever I need to..... what am I going to do without them?  I guess I could hug Darrel?  :) 

Hope you have a great week.  I am determined mine will get better from here!   Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

It occurred to me when I was thinking about what to post today that I never finished showing you the pictures from the Doodlebug Retreat!  How did that happen? Because of course... you need to see a picture of the scrap fairy.  ha!  This is the lovely Melanie... aka.. the Scrap Fairy.  She visited us several times over the course of the weekend each time bearing gifts!  Have I mentioned I like gifts?  Part of our goodie bag for the weekend was um the actual bag... ha ha ha... which was a pretty purple Doodlebug tote bag.  We also got 2 paper packs and then the fairy brought us goodies to go with our paper packs like chipboard embellies or journaling spots, die cuts, stuff like that.  We also received the group photo from the retreat!  I need to find that so I can show you.  We also received a custom piece of Doodlebug Retreat patterned paper so we can complete a layout about the fabulous retreat.  They did that last year too... I've yet to complete the layout!  Ha.  Perhaps I shall add that to my scrapping to do list from the other day...

5.   Complete retreat layouts for 2010 and 2011.

See... there you go all nice and official.  Now.. .one problem with that plan.  This year, this is the best picture I got of Lisa and I...

This would be Lisa on her side of her table while I was behind my side of my table.  Yes... we did not manage to remember to get a picture of the two of us together and we call ourselves scrapbookers!  What is up with that?  Perhaps I can photoshop myself in there by her side?  bwa ha ha ha ha....

OK look!  I liked... here she is again... And you can also see my spot.  It's the one with the pink stuff.  :)  And yes... I borrowed my chair from the office and boy... was that a good idea.  Who wants to sit like um 24+ hours in a folding chair.... its supposed to be comfy and fun right.  I highly recommend bringing a comfy chair and the wheels were a big plus...I even considered putting one of my layouts on the floor at one point and using the wheels for distressing purposes... ha!!!!! 

Here is a closer view... see... pretty pink mat, ott lite... phone.. computer... mouse... oh and lets not forget my pretty pink rubber duckie... complete with feather boa.  Is she not the cutest.  She makes me smile so I brought her with.  She was a present from my friend Jill in a gift swap we did last year for Valentines.  You'd think Jill knows me a little bit or something? 

Here was a shot from the walking track.  I always like the views of the whole room.  This was taken on Sunday I think so some ladies had already left for the weekend.  That is why all the empty tables on the left.  The day before the place was filled up!  Love a crop atmosphere and we had such a good time!  Already counting down the days for next year!  At the rate I was going... till this week... I could have just stayed packed for it! ha!

So how has your Thursday been?  I did a run/walk of 2.5 miles.  This running stuff is HARD.... I am still only running about 1/10th of a mile at once and man.... do my legs get tired... really keep trying to push myself though.  You really have to give yourself a pep talk sometimes... well at least I do.  At one point at the end I thought OK.  I am going to run till I get to the car.  My legs sooooo did not want to run until I got to the car.  I wanted to stop but you have to tell yourself - you can do this!  You can make it!  I can do all things thru Christ who gives me strength!  Keep going!  Push yourself!  and you know what... I made it to the car and it was the longest distance I've run in 1 shot.  I thought I might lay down and hyperventilate at that point but I manged to stay vertical... I am also noticing this running stuff is making my legs hurt in spots I never knew were even there before and lets talk about calf cramps for a moment shall we? OUCH.  Made sure to get a banana in my menu today to hopefully help with that problem.  I am going to keep trying and one day I will be posting to tell you I ran a 1/2 mile... a mile..... 2 miles.  It can happen right? 

Lots of things to be thankful for this week... especially things like..

• the walk for Caleb!  LOVED being a part of that
• the great t-shirts for the walk.  loved the pink shirt and pink camo flower for my hair!
• using my latest Vera purse this week
• the Sunday school class/Bible study I am participating in.  Very good.  Learning a lot.  Making me think... good stuff!  (the study is He Speaks To Me)
• a new working stove!  It even made a frozen pizza taste better.  Honest...
• um the stove guys finally showing up with said stove
• A PRETTY PINK STREAK IN MY HAIR....yes... I am shouting.  Cause how cool is that? I definitely think I need to do a feather next time.
• freshly pink painted nails with glittery sparkly tips!
• a husband who knows how to hook up new stoves
• lunch at La Carreta with Darrel Sunday
• ugg boots!
• beautiful fall weather and all the trees changing now
• a surprise card and gift I received in the mail today!  A kind soul included me for clergy appreciation month and that like never happens.  Totally made my day. 
• new jammies!  Very warm and comfy and SOFT.
• reading on my Kindle
• trying to be a runner!
• candy corn mixed with peanuts
• the fall flowers and pumpkins on the porch
• an unplanned lunch with Ashly on Monday
• a clean organized unpacked scrap room!
• the bagels we brought home from the big city on Saturday.  I miss bagels... when we lived in IL we had them several times a week from several shops in the area.  Now getting fresh bagels is a rare treat! 
• getting to surprise my niece with a new book by her favorite author
• my new glasses

Heading to bed.  Work and date night tomorrow.  For date night we are either staying home for dinner and movies or heading out to see Courageous and getting dinner.... all depends on time and how stressful the day is or isn't.... lets hope for a good outcome on that one! ha!  Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) So do you notice anything new?  Yes... I have completely gone over to the pink side.  ha!  I now have a pink streak in my hair.  See.... Sunday, in Sunday School a friend had a pink streak and some bling strands in her hair.  VERY cute... but I only caught about 1/2 the details of where/why she got them and then it was time for class.  Fast Forward to Monday.  I had lunch with my friend Ashly and she had a pink feather strand in her hair.  Got it from the same place!  A local salon is offering pink feathers, bling strands and hair extensions for breast cancer awareness month with proceeds going to the local hospital breast cancer center.  Cool idea right?  Well now that both Ashly and Brandy had cool pink stuff in their hair I just could not be left out... so on my way back from lunch I made a quick 15 min detour. I was driving right by the place... how could I not stop? 

2) The pink streak is a hair extension and is glued in and so far seems pretty secure.  The bling stands?  Um they came out just a few hours later when I washed my hair.  I was told you could wash, style, etc. like normal.  I was also told they should stay in a week or two.  Not like 4 hours.... She said to come back and she'd do them again if that happened.  Was going to head back over there today but then I looked up bling strands on google and found a youtube video on how to tie them.  Doesn't look so hard right?  Why drive 1/2 hour (round trip) out of my way?  Did I put them back in myself?  No.  My husband did it.  See.... I told you he can do anything.  He even ties pretty pink sparkly strands in his wife's hair.  He is good. 

3)  Here she is!  The new stove.  LOVE it and so happy it is finally here!  It was quite the adventure on Friday.  They told us they would call the night before and give us a 2 hour window for delivery.  That turned out to be 1:45-3:45.  So I had to go to work like 2-3 hours early so I could leave early to be home by 1:45.  Just before I walked out the door they call to confirm delivery and then say oh, and we might be 1/2 hour early, that's OK right?  I said NO.  You told us 1:45.  I arranged my work schedule around that.  I will meet you here at 1:45!  He seemed shocked that I have a job and can't just be home in the middle of the day whenever he wanted me to.. DUH.  So I rush around and get my work done.  I did manage to get home just after 1:00 and based on the morning conversation, figured it would be right around 1:45.  WRONG.  They did not show up till 4:30.  The only good thing about this?  Darrel was home by that time and he got to deal with them. 

4) If you were delivering a stove to a house that has a big hill up their driveway wouldn't you like back up your truck as close to the door as possible?  Or is that just us?  First they get to our house and decide to back in our driveway.  NOT a good idea.  We live on a highway, and a hill, and big semi coal trucks go by.  They can't see you till they top the hill and would NOT have time to stop if you are hanging out the driveway.  I thought they were going to get flattened!  Once they managed to get in the driveway alive.... they stop at the bottom.  They lay a dolly on the ground.  They take the stove out of the truck.  They put a strap under the stove and around 2 of the guys and then proceed to carry the stove all the way up to the house, the steepest way possible.  Why would you not at the very least use the nice dolly that you had right there?  Better yet, why not pull all the way in the driveway. Perhaps they wanted a challenge at the end of their day?  A better workout?  Beats me.  Was just glad to finally have a stove in the house in 1 piece. 

5)  Can I brag on my husband a minute?  Look away if you must.... He is awesome!  He reinstalled a gas line that we took out 10 years ago and when he tested it for leaks... not one leak.  He installed a new 110 electrical outlet behind the stove because the new one needs 110.  Old one had a 220 outlet.  He went thru every step in the oven set up book... yes girls he even reads instructions.....ha!  He leveled it. He put in the floor brace bracket.  He tested all the burners and the oven, and broiler flame.  He did it all and you know what?  I trusted him and his work way more than I would have trusted the 3 guys who didn't even seem to realize they didn't need to carry a stove up a big ol' hill! ha!  Maybe he could free lance for sears now as a stove set up consultant?  ha! 

6) Scrap goal #1 completed.  FINALLY I am unpacked from the Doodlebug Retreat that Lisa and I attended like Sept. what was it 17th? I think.  Only took me practically a month to unpack.  Maybe that has something to do with the hating of the unpacking?  So here is my room, everything put away.  Nice and neat.  Ready for some scrapping.  I even found a place for and put away my new supplies from my trip to M's and HL a couple weeks ago.  So now... no more excuses.  Let the scrapping commence! 

7) Yes it is that time of year for the Covered Bridge Festival!  Darrel and I thought we would be attending this week, but it turns out with his work schedule next week will be better.  Love Covered Bridge.  Hoping that the weather will still be nice next week.  You never know with Covered Bridge... last year we were in short sleeves, no coats needed.  Other years we needed our long johns, scarves and gloves and still froze.  I'd be happy with somewhere in between!  We had such a good day, both days, last year!  I cannot wait!  We hope to cover at least Bridgeton and Mansfield this year.  Probably a tall order for one day, so we shall see. 

8) Still working on the whole I wanna be a runner thing.  I have been getting in a smidgen over 2 miles with maybe.... maybe.... 1/2 of it running.  Probably more like 1/3.  And definitely not all at once.  I walk and get warmed up and then run as far as I can.  Then when I am about to pass out and my legs are incredibly tired and I need to catch my breath... I go back to walking.  Then we repeat this process.  I am not sure but the most I am probably running in 1 shot right now is like 1/10th of a mile.  I am praying and asking God to help me see and believe that I really can be actually running the whole 2 miles some day if I keep trying.  I keep saying... I couldn't even walk 1/10th of a mile without needing a break 3 years ago.... so anything is possible!

9) I neglected to mention... on #6 above there... I would like to request extra brownie points for completing the unpacking this evening.  Why?  because I think when one completes a task that is like their least favorite thing all while totally having PMS.... then one should receive extra credit for that?  Am I right ladies?  Cause trust me... sitting in my chair with the heating pad sounded like a much better plan. 

10)  Almost forgot!  Have you seen this technique for making cool twine flowers?  I love that look.  Must try that on the next layout... since of course now I am ready for scrapping! 

Hope your week is good!  Tomorrow is work... groceries... and need to work on my Sunday School lesson since I was drafted as teacher for this week.  I am thinking in that case it would be good to be prepared huh?  Blessings!

Out Of The Darkness...Into The Light

I loved that the name of the walk for the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention was "Out Of The Darkness."  Why?  Because depression and suicide can have a stigma and be a taboo thing to talk about.  I always think in my Christian walk that any hurts or secrets I can bring out of the darkness and into the light of Jesus - well it takes satan's power away in holding those things over you.  It brings the darkness into the Son's light.  That was just another reason it was such a cool thing to be a part of this effort. 

Our "adopted" daughter Ashly lost her brother to suicide a year go this past February.  I firmly believe God put her in touch with the lady that is the reason she got involved in this walk.  This event took a terrible, tragic thing, Caleb's death, and used it for good in helping others who have been affected by suicide or who suffer from depression, or love someone who suffers from depression. 

The walk wasn't a long one, but it was meaningful.  We walked two laps around the lake in Garvin Park in Evansville.  Ashly raised funds thru  sponsors, raffles, benefit nights, etc. and raised over $2000 all in just a few months.  She was by far the top fund raiser and I am so proud of her!  She did an amazing job. 

She also coordinated and helped design these team t-shirts.  The girls had pink camo, the guys, green.  Someone donated camo hats for the guys and the girls had camo flower clips for their hair.  I helped a little by making the photo badges with Caleb's picture.  The beads were from the walk.  You picked colors that represented who/what you were walking for.  Mine stood for losing a friend/loved one to suicide, supporting AFSP, and being someone who deals with or has dealt with a depressive illness.  Very cool idea. 

This photo represents all the Knox County or area people that participated in the walk!  This is amazing!!  All of the camo shirts were our team, Caleb's Camo Crew, walking in memory of Caleb.

Here is a good shot showing how the group walked together around the lake.  It  was a beautiful weather day and the trees are just starting to turn now too so the scenery was beautiful.

At the end of the walk they had a remembrance area.  There was chalk to write on the sidewalk either a message or memory to your loved one.  Very touching.  This was the part that got me emotional.  Especially seeing Caleb's Dad and his message.,  Broke. My. Heart.  Wow.  Such a hard, hard thing. 

Ashly hopes to keep working with this organization and hopefully bring a walk to our area in the spring or fall of next year.  I am sure she will succeed.  She did such an amazing job with this one! 

Some other weekend randomness....

• got the stove!  It's in place and functioning.. I'll have to fill you in on the long... long saga of its arrival on Tuesday when I post. 
• ordered a dress for Darrel's work Christmas party.  Not sure I am settling on this one.  I saw it.  I liked it.  It's a similar cut to last year's dress which I liked so I figured it was a good place to start.  The closest thing to my current size they had available might be big... so we shall see.  I like the color and since I did black last year, I wanted something different this year. 
• I am currently drooling over these shoes and would love to persuade my husband I NEED them to wear with my Christmas dress.  You girls understand right?  I suppose though he could point out I have a few other pairs of shoes that would likely work... just a few. 
• I have decided my current favorite thing to do for my manicure is to paint the nail pink... of course... and then add a glittery tip.  Since I have been doing this... well now plain is just um... too plain. 
• The Evalicious Christmas art journals are available.  I almost caved and bought one to use for a December daily book again.  However at the last moment I decided to use one of my empty smash books for this task.  Of course then I needed to get the embellishment kit to use with my smash book because of course... I don't have enough supplies on hand.  Right.
• Once the stove FINALLY arrived on Friday we spent date night at home.  We had yummy pizza and watched the movie Hanna.  Not bad... a bit bloody though.  Um the movie... not date night.  Bwa ha ha!!!

I am pitifully getting no where on my scrapping goals and plans these days and actually I've really been wanting to scrap some more since returning from the retreat!  So I have determined I will post my scrapping goals list for October! 

1. Must get UNPACKED from the retreat.  Good grief... we are approaching a month since the retreat and my stuff is still in bags! Well.. I unpacked some of it.  I will finish before the end of this week.
2. I want to complete 2-5 layouts for the challenges posted on the message board over at The Scrapping Spot.  They have some good ones posted this month and I want to play too!  :) 
3. Start working on the summer book I've been threatening to do since um what.. the beginning of summer?  I want to use a smash book to paste in all the photos, bits and pieces from all the fun things we did this past summer.
4. Once I get past the above I want to finish my December book from um.... year before last, and then possibly put one together for last year.  I am pretty sure I can re-create the month from my blog entries. 

So there are my challenges should I choose to accept them.  Anyone want to scrap along with me?  Interested in the TSS challenges?  You are welcome to join us on the board and I'd be happy to post the details here as well.  Just leave me a comment. 

We have a BUSY week ahead.  Covered Bridge this week I think!  Yay.  Darrel's parents are going to be in town.  I have to teach Sunday School next week so I need to study!  And I am way behind on housework and other fun stuff as usual.  Let's not forget the all important quest to become a runner too.  Must keep working on that.  Tune in again on Tuesday.  Same bat time... same bat channel...  Oh my gosh... do you remember that too or am I totally losing it.  Who even remembered I used to watch batman after school.... Works for Halloween too! Bwa ha ha ha ha... .OK.. really going now.  Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

This is Caleb.  Lots of pictures of Caleb!  Why?  Well Saturday Darrel and I are participating in an Out Of The Darkness, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention walk.  We are helping our friends, Ashly, Jim and Kim Taylor to raise funds to help raise awareness about and prevent suicide.  This is a cause near and dear to their heart and ours because Caleb is their son, and brother and he took his own life in February of last year.  It is still so hard to believe that its a real thing that happened!  He is terribly missed and I feel so honored to be a part of this event.  We are called Caleb's Camo Crew because Caleb was known for wearing his camo and loving hunting.  We have matching camo t-shirts to wear.  Pink camo or traditional camo.  Guess which one I have?  I thought it would be cool if we had a photo of Caleb with us too so I used name pin badge holders and inserted a picture of Caleb in them so we'd have a picture to pin on our shirts.  Cool right?  I hope to have lots of fabulous pics to share after the walk on Saturday! 

So what is wrong with this picture?  Um this is where a stove should be.  The current broken, sick of it stove... it's out on the back porch now.  The new one?  It's supposed to be here tomorrow.   Let's hope for Sears' sake that happens.  I am  getting tired of waiting... and we all know waiting ain't my best thing.  Darrel has spent the evening installing the gas line... scary..... and adding a new outlet since the new stove needs a 110 outlet rather than the 220 that was there for the old stove.   Good thing he is like Mr Macgyver and knows how to do all that stuff huh?  They called this evening and gave us a 2 hour window for delivery... right smack dab in the middle of the day.  So now I get to figure out how to work that into my day while still getting my work done and not skipping date night!  It will all work out and whatever hoops I have to jump thru will be worth it just to finally have this stove issue resolved! 

Lots of things to be thankful for this week... as always...

• completing at least 3 days of running/walking
• 2.5 lbs gone on the scale.  It has been FOREVER since that happened and I soooo needed to see that my extra efforts this week made a difference. 
• new Bible Study/Sunday School class
• my new glasses
• beautiful weather
• homemade mostaccioli... which is what I made for dinner today.  YUM
• candy corn mixed with peanuts... which should maybe be a bad thing cause its hard to leave it alone
• the nice man that stopped me during my walk last Saturday
• getting to walk during the trick or treat at the campground.  very fun
• good friends that pray for me and support me
• LaCarreta! 
• a new stove!!
• fall leaves and decorations
• a husband who has THE best hugs in the world.
• getting to see our niece in homecoming
• going to Orange Leaf with Darrel
• my new PJ's.  LOVE
• mums and pumpkins from Darrel
• antibiotics to get rid of yet another sinus infection
• Pandora radio.  Very cool
• God's patience with me. 
• Sophie & Sydney
• Tanner feeling better.  He had yet another skin infection. 
• plans for the marriage conference later this month coming together
• getting to sing at church Sunday
• a new Vera purse.  Yes... I know.. it was on clearance and I was buying Christmas gifts and um.... how could I resist just one little thing for me? 

Heading for bed.  Have to hit work early so I can be home for the stove!  Hope you have an awesome weekend.  We are having date night at home with pizza and movies! It's been awhile since we've done that!
Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) He did it again.  My husband brought me home mums and pumpkins and then he arranged them on the porch all by himself.  He is good isn't he?  He even thought to buy little baby pumpkins.  LOVE those.  So cute and it makes me so happy to have beautiful fall stuff on my porch! 

2) Have you ever worn Carole Hochman PJ's?  QVC sells them.  Are they in stores too?  I'm not sure.  I bought this set when it was a TSV recently.  I got the gray.  I liked that it had the cardigan/robe piece.  I am always always cold when I am trying to relax at home and I figured I could layer that over any of my PJ's or loungey clothes.  Loungey... is that a word?  It should be.  :)  Very pleased with the PJ's.  They are soft.  They fit good and I have been warm and comfy all evening.  Since I am in need of some new PJ's I just might have to order this pair or this pair too.... ya think? OK... just did a google search and apparently Nordstrom sells this brand too.  They are a little pricey for PJ's, but for 3 pcs, that are very nice quality... I am thinking not too bad. 

3) Speaking of QVC... Did you know its October?  Do you know what happens in October?  They celebrate their FFANY Shoes on Sale event for raising funds for Breast Cancer research.  They have a shoe of the day each weekday in October.  Usually they are designer shoes, marked down to a good price.... So like last year... I was like checking their web site before I was out of bed in the morning!  ha!  Is this a bad thing... or maybe just a shoe lovin' girl thing.  :)  You gotta be quick!  The prices are good and some of the styles go quick!!  Just checked (since its after midnight) and today's shoe is a floral PINK clog.... I probably should not look at that one too long huh? 

4) So do you think the frozen yogurt is still good for you when you pile chocolate chip cookies, chips, brownies and yes... a rice krispie treat or two on top?  I was thinking the healthiness of the yogurt probably cancels out the unhealthiness of the yummy stuff on top.  That is how it works right?  The one with the cookies was mine.  The one with the brownies and krispie treats was Darrel's.  After my solo date night the prior week, Darrel just happened to get an email offer for 50% off $10 gift cards for Orange Leaf.  He bought us 4 of them and then took me there for dessert Friday night.  It was much more fun going with a date.   :)  I'd recommend it.  The yogurt place... well and the date... but get your own.  Mine is taken.  :)  

5) Date night began at a high school football game.  The first one either Darrel or I had attended since um....high school.  I mean I hadn't climbed a high school football stadium bleachers since I was like 17... Lets not talk about how long ago that was.  While we were sitting and waiting for the homecoming festivities to begin, we were watching the team warm up.  I looked down to the other end of the field and saw these other guys in different colors warming up and looked at my husband and said "who are those guys?"  He grins and says "um that's the other team Hon....!"  Bwa ha ha ha ha... Apparently I am such a girl.  In my defense the other team did not have their jerseys or shoulder pads on so I was thinking they were like more of our players that were warming up for later or something....Sad I know.  Well after we got that cleared up we got to see our niece Lauryn and her escort, Austin.  Isn't she beautiful?  Sadly she didn't win... but I would have made her queen if it were up to me!  I must admit... I got a little emotional.  All I could think of while this beautiful 16 year old girl was walking towards us was how she looked when she was a toddler, sitting on the kitchen floor eating her first chocolate chip cookie.... How on earth did 16 years go by? 

6) This would be the kittens new favorite pastime.  Chasing and pouncing on the dog.  Tanner's feelings about the kittens are the same as they were about Jack and Gracie.  If they have to live here... he will tolerate it, but um they better not touch him.  Unfortunately Sophie and Sydney are not on board with this plan and all they want to do is touch him!  It is too funny.  They go running right up to him... he grunts and groans at them and moves away, they follow, and the chase ensues.  Quite cute and OK... entertaining.  Perhaps he will learn to love them too?  Makes me miss Jack.  Last normal thing we remember him doing before he got so sick was trying to run and pounce on the dog.  His balance was so goofed up from the ear infection he pounced and then promptly fell over... poor little guy.  I still wish we could have him back. 

7) I only did 2 miles today on my walk.  Well my walk/run... if you can call it that.  Yes.  I am still trying to become a runner.  My current plan today was to walk and get warmed up and then run as long as I can and then walk until I recovered and then run some more.  I repeated this process for the 1 mile down the main road to the end of the park and then for the 1 mile back.  I made good time, and ran more than I have before so I guess that is improvement.  I am learning it is like it was when I was first struggling to walk long distances.  I have to fix my eyes on the point I am trying to make it too and focus on that.  It also reminded me of a sermon illustration that helped me early on in my walking.  The Pastor told us about his grand kids learning to walk and how he would stand at the other side of the room cheering them on as they walked over to him.  He told us how Jesus is like that for us!  He is standing there beside us or out in front of us going come on!  You can make it!  I'm here for you!  I love that thought.... so today I fixed my eyes on the gate I was trying to run to and told myself Jesus was standing there waiting for me and I could make it to Him in His strength... and I did.  I ran more today than I probably ever have.  I plan to continue!  How amazing will it feel to run that first 1/4 of a mile, 1/2 mile and mile... Will I one day be running that whole 2 miles I walked/ran today?  You just wait and see!

8) As soon as I get my new stove and its in working order I am thinking I have to try this Italian Chicken Soup recipe from Pioneer Woman.  Does that not look completely yummy?  And it really doesn't look that hard to make.  Looks like a great fall dinner to me!

9) Was browsing the Internet over the weekend and somehow came across a link to this article on how to make ruffles and flowers for your scrapbook layouts using coffee filters.  Isn't that a cool look?  Gotta try that.  I'm sure I'll be needing a pink ruffle on something. 

10) I am noticing the "P" on my laptop keyboard is not working roperly properly.  You hit it and nothing happens... no P appears on the screen till you hit it again with more conviction.  Now why would the P stop working on my computer?  Is there some kind of P word that is tyed typed often that has overworked my poor little P key? I can't think of anything... couldn't be pink... could it?  robably Probably just a coincidence right?

Hope your week is going well!  Blessings!