My T.P.
Current mood: blessed
Category: Blogging

My friend KRISTI, tagged me with a NEW tag!

The Totem Pole Game

(Got the picture from Jenn, AKA "Your Duchess of Disaster"
- read her Totem Pole of Love)

Certain Native American tribes used totem poles. These poles were usually used to bless individual dwellings and, essentially, consisted of a stack of carved figures representing items that were revered. They could be persons, animals and other objects. A popular adage that comes from this is "low man on the totem pole" meaning that the poor schmuck on the bottom, holding up all the others. Ironically, this showed our poor cultural understanding since the figure on the bottom was the most important since it actually touched the earth, so was closest to nature and spirits.

Here's the game…

What persons, animals, concepts or objects would make up your personal totem pole. It can be as many or as few as you wish. I would prefer that you follow the true spirit, meaning the most important "totem" would be on the bottom. I would also like you to include a brief explanation of each totem. Finally, once completed, I'd like for you to send my explanation along to ten other persons, tagging them to explain their own totem poles.

Beginning at the top and working downwards… keep in mind the bottom of the pole is the most important.

This is how mine would go…

ALL MY FRIENDS (Real life & MySpace)

My brothers and sisters

(my nieces & nephew too)

My children

My Husband

The Lord~ Because without him, not only would there be NO ME, but nothing else...

I'm tagging these wonderful friends.... (as far as I know these people haven't been tagged... UNTIL NOW!!)

Currently watching : Iron Man (Single-Disc Edition) Release date: 2008-09-30

2:35 AM - 34 Comments - 36 Kudos - Add Comment

GBE 56 - "ABANDON"
Current mood: blessed
Category: Life

I have also abandoned time... time on this laptop of mine. (And I must say, I think I'm doing pretty well.)-

    My two teen girls are usually so busy with their high school lives, and activities. And are the ones who are on their computer too. But my two boys, Garrett, 7, and Matthew, 2, well, they still need me so very much.

Currently listening : Enigma - Love Sensuality Devotion: The Greatest Hits By Enigma Release date: 2001-10-23

5:58 AM - 56 Comments - 56 Kudos - Add Comment

The "BLOG ROOM" and GBE
Current mood: happy
Category: Blogging

I've received many messages/comments about not being seen in the "Blog Room" - whether it's a personal blog, or participating in the GBE. There is no excuse really, just been kind of busy. With school back in, I'm still trying to adjust and tweak everyone's new schedule. But I'M HERE! And I'll be back in the swing of things sooner or later... BUT I KNOW, you all understand, and know where I am coming from

I've also been helping Scott (ya know, my hubby?) out with his new MySpace. He's an Author for children's books, so he figured this was a good opportunity for free advertisement, and to get to know other writers, authors, publishers, and even learn and discuss with parents, teachers, relatives with young children, on new ideas and what children are interested in when it comes to stories. So friend him! He's waaaaaaaay nicer than I am- LOL (He really is though-LOL)

And as for the GBE- I'll get back into that sooner or later too! I've received such sweet and kind messages from you fellow GBE'rs on wondering about my where about. And I'm sorry I haven't been in the "BLOG ROOM" lately to comment- I just need to pull out my planner and make some time

I am here, and you all are in my thoughts, you REALLY ARE!

But I do feel a blog coming on... so we'll see!

Currently watching : Monsters, Inc.

9:17 PM - 35 Comments - 32 Kudos - Add Comment

"Why I DON'T Do Fridays!"
Current mood: thankful
Category: Life

So! There ya have it- My Friday, I LOVE my Fridays with my little man! I wouldn't trade it for anything! And so when I say I DON'T DO FRIDAYS, this is why

Gotta Love Fridays!

Currently watching : Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends - Cranky Bugs & Other Thomas Stories Release date: 2002-07-23

12:29 PM - 49 Comments - 48 Kudos - Add Comment

GBE 50 - "Inner Peace"
Current mood: blessed
Category: Religion and Philosophy

The Group Blogging Experience (a.k.a. GBE) is where each week Alicia will announce a general topic, then we have all week to work up our own interpretation of it. The only limits on what we choose to blog about is the time you want to put into it, and your imagination. By Saturday, everyone posts their blogs and Alicia links them all through hers.

This weeks topic:

(are you dizzy yet? LOL)

I was my worst enemy when it came to making MYSELF happy... I was too busy making others happy, and caring for their needs, putting mine aside~ it took it's toll over the years, I was vanishing- little by little, and I was disappearing by not feeding my soul.

It has taken me years and years to find my Inner Peace. Years of searching, who am I? What am I about? Why am I like this? The questiones went on and on...

Married at 19, I thought that would make me happy, it did, for a while... then the ugly face of self doubt and lack of self confidence slowly appeared in front of me, each time I looked into the mirror.

Being raised with such a loving father who wanted the best for his children, and provided us with love, support, and laughter- a mother who was the strict one, and taught me what I know... one would wonder... How? How did I get to that place of such harsh judgment of myself?

Divorced, with two beautiful daughters, I wanted them to know, "A WOMAN CAN BE STRONG!" And till this day, Happily remarried, and 4 munchkins later... I am now at peace, and happy. I have those days where I find it a struggle, but "know in my heart" that I am ok.

_________________________________________

All the drinking and partyin' days didn't make my problems go away, all the shopping sprees didn't either. No matter what, as materialistic as I had gotten, I found myself, laying in my bed at night, missing someting- wondering why I had this hole within me...

The years had past, and one night, I found myself at the lowest of lows. Something so horrible, an act of such evil had happened to me, that I thought I had finally been broken.

But within me, I knew I had to go on... for my children

I was talked into going to church, something I kept putting off... I knew I "believed in "GOD," but I found that I would only pray if I needed something, or was asking "WHY?"

As I look back on my life- I "realized"... GOD was there the whole time, listening to me- And it was HE who helped me get to the point that I am at now.

I found myself in awe, with the fact that the LORD LOVED ME, all of me, no matter what. And when I accepted THAT, well, that's when the healing began... that's when God helped me to find my "Inner Peace."

Without God, I would be that lost soul, that person with doubt, that person who lacked selfconfidence...

I NEED God in my life. And when I found a man who loves God with all his heart- then I knew- God had our paths cross for a reason.

So as it is...

AS FOR ME AND MY HOME, WE WILL WORSHIP THE LORD

And now, I can honestly say (with a smile on my face) that I have found my "Inner Peace" thanks to the Lord.

Thank you for reading...

Currently watching : Nim’s Island (Widescreen Edition) Release date: 2008-08-05

6:23 AM - 84 Comments - 88 Kudos - Add Comment

The Right Fit - BUT...
Current mood: curious
Category: Fashion, Style, Shopping

Currently watching : Ratatouille Release date: 2007-11-06

12:35 PM - 28 Comments - 28 Kudos - Add Comment

GBE 48 - "Random Acts of Kindness"
Current mood: blessed
Category: Religion and Philosophy

The Group Blogging Experience (a.k.a. GBE) is where each week Alicia will announce a general topic, then we have all week to work up our own interpretation of it. The only limits on what we choose to blog about is the time you want to put into it, and your imagination. By Saturday, everyone posts their blogs and Alicia links them all through hers.

This weeks topic:

"RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS "

When I read the topic for the week, the image of a memory appeared in my mind as quick as I had finishing reading the topic of the week. This "Random Act of Kindness" I witnessed, happened about a year and a half ago... on a rainy day. And when a hard rain comes, I find myself thinking of that memory that tugged at my heart, that I couldn't help but share the news of what I had witnessed with everyone I saw or spoke to that day.

It was pouring... pouring hard. The sky was dark and grey. The streets quickly rising with water, that you could not make out where the side curbs were.

As I drove to work, slow, and focusing on the road ahead, trying to make out which side of the road was actually my side, I noticed ahead on the upcoming intersection, a woman, standing in the pouring rain, waiting for the next bus to arrive.

Suddenly out of no where, a small black car, with dark tinted windows, pulled up to her. I thought to myself, 'Oh good! Someone she knows noticed her and will pick her up.' Not the case. All the sudden, a bright yellow umbrella was sticking out of the car on the passenger's side-

The woman took it, The car drove away. And As I looked at the car pulling away, I noticed, the bumper sticker read, "I love Jesus."

I know this may not sound like a "miracle." But to me, well, it really touched me- the simple kindness this stranger performed...THAT was a "RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS." And to that woman, who knows what she felt about that act- but her and the Lord-

There's NOT a day that goes by that I don't pray to God to strengthen my faith. We tell our children, to be kind, to respect others. To do kind things, NOT to think or want a "pay back" or recognition- but out of the kindness of your heart, for the glory of God. I pray they keep that in their heart.

And when I read the Bible verse for today- it really does sum it up...

The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."    Galatians 5:14

Thank you for reading... click on Alicia's link to read other "Random Acts of Kindness"

7:39 AM - 74 Comments - 66 Kudos - Add Comment

Clued In Book Review Club - "Night Fall"
Current mood: busy

Title: "Night Fall"

Author: Nelson DeMille

Genre: Crime/Suspense

*After reading Don- Review on "Plum Island", I went ahead and ordered a few books by the same author- I am so pleased that I did!

"It is dusk on July 17, 1996. A man and a woman who are married- but not to each other- make love on a Long Island beach as a video camera records their pleasure... and something more."

Boy oh boy was I shocked when I did read this part in the book, well, maybe "shock" is too strong of a word. Think more on the lines of, "Oh my goodness!" (with my mouth wide open) The book doesn't start off as a conspiracy theory, and great detective thrillers kind of book- but DON'T let that fool ya!

"On July 17, 1996, Trans World Airlines Flight 800 departed New York City's John F. Kennedy international Airport en route to Paris, France, carrying 212 passengers and 18 crew members. It departed JFK at about 8:16 p.m. eastern time and was climbing through 13,760 feet when, 14 minutes into the flight it exploded and fell into the Atlantic Ocean approximately 9 miles off Long Island. All 230 people onboard were killed."

This book is based on true events which challenges you to separate fact from fiction. Based on factual evidence, he explores the controversy surrounding the cause of  the disaster which the US government still officially attributes to a spark in Flight 800's center fuel tank. The FBI interviewed 154 "credible" witnesses - including scientists, schoolteachers, Army personnel and business executives.

As far as storytelling goes- The plot is riveting, the theory intriguing, the characters are exciting, energetic and believable, and the ending left me stunned. Powerful!!! At times my heart would race, and I laughed out loud on more than a few occasions. If you like fiction based on fact, conspiracy theory, and great detective thrillers, I recommend Night Fall.

MY opinion: 4 stars out of 5!

Currently reading : The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini Release date: 2004-04-27

8:44 AM - 22 Comments - 20 Kudos - Add Comment

Clued In Book Review Club - "One For the Money"
Current mood: accomplished

Title: "One For the Money"

Author: Janet Evanovich

Genre: Mystery

When I read the review by "Seattle Storm" a.k.a. Celine - Janet Evanovich "Lean Mean 13". This too I ordered, and have been laughing ever since =) As she reviewed 13, here I am now reviewing 1, and reading 2!!! Just lovin' it!

I am so thankful for all of your reviews!

"Stephanie Plum needs money desperately, so she convinces her Cousin Vinnie to employ her as a bounty hunter for his bail bonds business, even though Stephanie has no training and was formerly a lingerie buyer. Her first major target: Joe Morelli, an old flame of hers, who is suspected of murder and has disappeared."

Oh my did I enjoy this book!!! I couldn't stand putting this book down! (But I would have to in between stop lights! LOL)

Stephanie only has the bare essentials, bread, milk, a bed, and hairspray. Her car's been repossessed and she needs some big money, and FAST!

Her target, Joe Morelli (which my imagination just went wild with his description-LOL). Joe has been accused of murder and has skipped bail. It's now up to Stephanie Plum to track him down and deliver him to justice. But is there more to it than that? Teaming up with handsome and mysterious agent Ranger, and running into trouble with a phycho boxer, who does NOT take "no" well!

If you would like a book with plenty of humour, wit and a great plot, I recommend Janet Evanovich's, 'One For The Money'

MY opinion: 4 1/2 kuddos out of 5 =)

Currently reading : Two for the Dough (Stephanie Plum, No. 2) By Janet Evanovich Release date: 2007-05-29

9:02 PM - 22 Comments - 18 Kudos - Add Comment

GBE 46 - "Vacation" (picture blog)
Current mood: blissful
Category: Travel and Places

The Group Blogging Experience (a.k.a. GBE) is where each week Alicia will announce a general topic, then we have all week to work up our own interpretation of it. The only limits on what we choose to blog about is the time you want to put into it, and your imagination. By Saturday, everyone posts their blogs and Alicia links them all through hers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This week topic is "VACATION"

This about sums up my feelings and thoughts of our annual vacation spending a week at the condo... enjoy!!!

This is where we spend our summer time vacation in the sun!
 



Summer Vacation is...


Eating a slice of cool watermelon under the warm sun-  

It is going back and forth one hundred times to get a pail of water, and having fun in the sand-

 

It is building a sand castle under the blazing sun-

 

It is jumping in the pool after splashin in the ocean-

 

It is relaxing and ejoying the beauty of the Lord's work as the sun goes down-  

It is making memories with loved ones to cherish in your heart.

  Enjoy making new memories on your next vacation!

Currently watching : Ratatouille Release date: 2007-11-06

5:25 AM - 80 Comments - 78 Kudos - Add Comment