Monday, March 14, 2011

A Few Random Thoughts...

I changed my header and my background thinking SPRING!  And what does it do today it has been snowing and sleeting all day.  I am so glad we do not see this all winter, I would go crazy, or maybe crazier is a better word.

The crocus on my header was blooming in Xeriscape Gardens Saturday.  The garden is kept up by Friends of the Garden in Springfield. They do a wonderful job and we stop by several times throughout the year to catch the beautiful flowers and bushes.  It is one of my favorite photo stops. 

We are off to Arkansas for a few days.  We are picking up Eden Jade and bringing her home with us for a week.  I am sure I will really be dragging by the end of the week but it will be well worth it, nothing like those grand kids.  I wish Cain could come also, but he is going to his mom's for the week. 

The Shriner's Circus is in town and we are planning on taking her Sunday after church.  It should be fun, she has never been to the circus.  And she asked me if we could please go to the library.  We took her the last time she was here and she was amazed at how big it was, so we have a few things planned, other than that we are going to play it by ear.  It will be good to spend some time with her, she is getting so big.  She will start kindergarten in the fall, it seems like yesterday she was that little baby leaving in the helicopter.  Praise God for watching over her and blessing us beyond measure.

Have a great week!

until next time... nel

Sunday, March 13, 2011

REVIEW: The Way Home

“The Way Home” with Dean Cain is a moving DVD based on an inspirational true story. Randy and Christal Simpkins find their marriage at a point like so many American families, Dad is busy at work, trying to make a living for his family, and Mom is busy juggling kids, running the household, and sometimes a job. Life can become overwhelming.


On the day the Simpkins are to leave for vacation once again Randy is at work and Christal is packing the van, keeping an eye on Joe, their two year old while the two older boys are in school. When Randy finally makes it home Christal asks him to put Joe in his car seat and to get the last two bags in the house while she shuts the house down. Joey is playing in the driveway with the dog and his dad decides to let him play for a second while he grabs the bags. When he returns Joey is nowhere to be found.


Concern quickly turns to panic when they realize he has vanished. Prayer chains are started and rescue teams are called in. Hundreds of people join in the effort. Will Joey be found? Will Randy and Christal work through this or will it be the straw that broke the camel’s back? Will this bring them closer to God or pull them farther apart? Find the answers to these questions in this inspirational film.


MY THOUGHTS: This is a wonderful film; make sure you have tissue close by. It shows how easy it is to put other things before God and your family, but it also shows how easy they can be taken away! This is a great film for all ages.


I received this DVD free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

until next time... nel

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays...

Birthdays are a special part of our life.  It is so funny how our outlook changes, remember when you were little and you couldn't wait for your birthday.  It seemed like it took forever to get here. You just couldn't wait to see what you were going to get, it was almost as exciting as Christmas, and of course there was the added benefit of cake and ice cream and maybe a party once in awhile.
Then you couldn't wait till you were 13, because then you were a teenager, a special time in our lives, if we would have only realized how special.  It was a time of innocence, or at least it was back in my day, granted I would not want to be a teen today to much peer pressure.

The next milestone was 16, wow we could legally drive, if we could talk them out of the family car.  I don't know about the rest of you, but I actually did not ask for the family car very often.  I did not want to be caught out in it, in my mind it was an old lady's car.  It was a Dodge Dart Swinger, yes the kind they pay good money for these days, but I hated it!  I guess I should of felt lucky the car before that was a Rambler station wagon. lol.

Back in my day turning 19 was kinda big, you could legally drink beer and wine.  And then of course 21 was the big one!  At that time 30 was old and 60 was ancient.  My how our outlook changes.  60 is looking better every day! Just for the record, I am on the low side of 60, actually I am 54 today.  Feeling a little on the old side today though, I had my yearly checkup yesterday.  Yeah the fun one, all the blood panel, the pap smear, and normal stuff.  He also informed me I needed to schedule a mammogram and a colonoscopy.  Thanks for reminding me doc that I am at that age now.  lolol. I also asked him about my eye twitching, this has been going on since last Saturday.  He informed me it was probably from fatigue, or eye strain, as we get older we need more rest and cannot spend as much time on the computer as we once could.  Remind me not to make my appointment the day before my birthday.  What was I thinking???

We have no big plans for today, we are going out to eat tonight.  I got to pick where we were going and I think he regretted that decision.  I picked Burger King, yep I want a Whopper, do you know how long it has been?  Maybe subconsciously that is a way of feeling young again!  lol.  I think I am going to convince him we need to go out to the park or for a drive.  It is to nice out to stay in the house.  Also, I have this new lens for my camera.  It weighs 4 lbs, and is a 650mm-1300mm zoom.  And I have been dying to try it out.  That is my birthday present from my hubby.  He is so good to me! 

So I guess I am outta here... Happy Birthday Me!

until next time... nel

Thursday, March 10, 2011

BOOK REVIEW: The Bridge Of Peace


"The BRIDGE of PEACE" by Cindy Woodsmall is Book Two in her Ada House Series.

In this book we find Lena Kauffman, a schoolteacher who is Old Order Amish facing life head on.  She is a very strong willed, stubborn young lady that has learned how to deal with the stares and comments when people see the huge birthmark on the side of her face.  This story reminds us of how cruel people can be and what teachers have to deal with when there are bullies in the classroom. 

Lena has a life-long friend, Grey Graber who is also a school board member.  Grey has been a big help to Lena through the years but they both have skeletons in their closets.  After Grey's wife is killed in a tragedy, will he open up to his friend or will this drive them apart?  Find the answer to these questions and many more by reading this wonderful book!

I enjoyed this book and found it an easy read.  Even though I have not read the first book in the series I did not have any problem with understanding this book, however it would have given me some background to the characters involved.  Cindy's writing captivates you and makes you feel you are right there watching, it had me laughing at times and crying at others.  If you enjoy stories about the Amish lifestyle you will like this book. 

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing as part of their Blogging For Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

If you would like to read Chapter One click here.

If you would like to watch a video or learn more about the author Cindy Smallwood click here.


until next time... nel

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Marching on Wednesday


Once again it is time for Wednesday Hodgepodge, that time when we can learn a little more about our blogging buddies. If you would like to join in march right over to Joyce’s at From This Side of The Pond. There you can find a complete list of the questions and the place to link up, but first you know you want to read my answers, don’t you?

My Responses:

1. March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's birthday so I'm wondering...do you like green eggs and ham? Okay-how about this instead...how do you like your eggs? Or don't you?

"Green Eggs and Ham" was one of our favorites, but I think my all time favorite is "The Places You Go,"  nothing like Dr. Seuss!

As far as eggs, love them!  I am on the picky side when it comes to my eggs.  My scrambled eggs have to be light and fluffy, and my fried eggs have to be medium - yellow runny, whites done.  I make scrambled eggs sometimes with cheese, salsa, mushrooms, etc., those are pretty good also, but not as fluffy as I wish they were.   I also love omelets.

2. Is March coming in like a lion or something less ferocious where you live?

It was beautiful out today, little bit of wind blowing but the sun was shining so pretty, up in the 60's. 

3. Do you work better or worse under pressure?

I do fine under pressure as long as someone is not breathing down my neck.  I am a terrible procrastinator, but I always get it done in the nick of time.

4. March Madness-are you a fan? It's college basketball in case you're wondering. And if you're outside the USA tell us-is there any sort of 'madness' taking place during March in your part of the world?

No, can't say I am a fan, me and sports just never jived, too many other things I would rather be doing.

5. Under what circumstances do you do your best thinking?

I do my best thinking by myself with the music playing softly, sometimes with a paper and pen in front of me so I can jot down notes.

6. What item of clothing from your wardrobe do you wear most often?

My over-sized long sleeve denim shirts get worn a lot around the house, they are so comfy over a t shirt.  I would say probably my jeans out in public, I am a denim loving person.

7. Do you use sarcasm?

Who me?  You have to be kidding!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am so glad we have our computers back, at least two of them.  It is amazing how much you miss something when it is gone.  I think we were both beginning to have withdrawal symptoms. lol.  They went down Thursday night and we got them back yesterday afternoon.  Our DSL modem died (it was getting old) but we were hit with a virus that got all three of our computers since they were networked.  I am so glad that I had all my pictures on my external harddrive and Stan had all his stuff backed up.  The fun part is getting everything loaded back on them.  I find it so sad that there are people who have nothing better to do than cause havoc in peoples lives, but it has been that way all through time just different circumstances.  I guess all we can do is pray for them.

That about covers it!

until next time... nel