8 Rules for Dating My Daughter

When I was in high school I used to be terrified of my girlfriend's father, who I believe suspected me of wanting to place my hands on his daughter's chest. He would open the door and immediately affect a good-naturedly murderous expression, holding out a hand that, when gripped, felt like it could squeeze carbon into diamonds.
Now, years later, it is my turn to be the dad. Remembering how unfairly persecuted I felt when I would pick up my dates, I do my best to make my daughter's suitors feel even worse. My motto: wilt them in the living room and they'll stay wilted all night.
"So," I'll call out jovially. "I see you have your nose pierced. Is that because you're stupid, or did you merely want to APPEAR stupid?"
As a dad, I have some basic rules, which I have carved into two stone tablets that I have on display in my living room.

Rule One: If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure as heck not picking anything up.
Rule Two: You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.
Rule Three: I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, In order to assure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric staple gun and fasten your trousers securely in place around your waist.
Rule Four: I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate: when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I WILL kill you.
Rule Five: In order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is "early."
Rule Six: I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make YOU cry.
Rule Seven: As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process which can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?
Rule Eight: The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka zipped up to her adam's apple. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which feature chainsaws are okay. Hockey games are okay.
My daughter claims it embarrasses her to come downstairs and find me attempting to get her date to recite these eight simple rules from memory. I'd be embarrassed too - there are only eight of them, for crying out loud! And, for the record, I did NOT suggest to one of these cretins that I'd have these rules tattooed on his arm if he couldn't remember them. (I checked into it and the cost is prohibitive.) I merely told him that I thought writing the rules on his arm with a ball point might be inadequate-ink washes off-and that my wood burning set was probably a better alternative.
One time, when my wife caught me having one of my daughter's would-be suitors practice pulling into the driveway, get out of the car, and go up to knock on the front door (he had violated rule number one, so I figured he needed to run through the drill a few dozen times) she asked me why I was being so hard on the boy. "Don't you remember being that age?" she challenged.
Of course I remember. Why do you think I came up with the eight simple rules?

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Sexuality

...or if you prefer... The Birds and the Bees
I was holding a notice from my 13-year-old son's school announcing a meeting to preview the new course in sexuality. Parents could examine the curriculum and take part in an actual lesson presented exactly as it would be given to the students. When I arrived at the school, I was surprised to discover only a few more than a dozen parents there. As we waited for the presentation, I thumbed through page after page of instructions in the prevention of pregnancy or disease. I found abstinence mentioned only in passing.
When the teacher arrived with the school nurse, she asked if there were any questions. I asked why abstinence did not play a noticeable part in the material. What happened next was shocking. There was a great deal of laughter, and someone suggested that if I thought abstinence had any merit, I should go back to burying my head in the sand. The teacher and the nurse said nothing as I drowned in a sea of embarrassment. My mind had gone blank, and I could think of nothing to say. The teacher explained to me that the job of the school was to "teach facts," and the home was responsible for moral training. I sat in silence for the next 20 minutes as the course was explained. The other parents seemed to give their unqualified support to the materials.
"Donuts, at the back," announced the teacher during the break. "I'd like you to put on the name tags we have prepared -- they're right by the donuts -- and mingle with the other parents."

Everyone moved to the back of the room. As I watched them affixing their name tags and shaking hands, I sat deep in thought. I was ashamed that I had not been able to persuade them to include a serious discussion of abstinence in the materials. I uttered a silent prayer for guidance. My thoughts were interrupted by the nurse's hand on my shoulder. "Won't you join the others, Mr. Layton?" The nurse smiled sweetly at me.

"The donuts are good." "Thank you, no." I replied. "Well, then, how about a name tag? I'm sure the others would like to meet you." "Somehow I doubt that." I replied. "Won't you please join them?" she coaxed. Then I heard a still, small voice whisper, "Don't go." The instruction was unmistakable. "Don't go!" "I'll just wait here," I said.

When the class was called back to order, the teacher looked around the long table and thanked everyone for putting on name tags. She ignored me. Then she said, "Now we're going to give you the same lesson we'll be giving your children. Everyone please peel off your name tags." I watched as the tags came off. "Now, then, on the back of one of the tags, I drew a tiny flower. Who has it, please?"

The gentleman across from me held it up. "Here it is!"

"All right," she said. "The flower represents disease. Do you recall with whom you shook hands?" He pointed to a couple of people. "Very good," she replied. "The handshake in this case represents intimacy. So the two people you had contact with now have the disease." There was laughter and joking among the parents. The teacher continued, "And whom did the two of you shake hands with?" There was a pause. The point was well taken, and she explained how this lesson would show students how quickly disease is spread. "Since we all shook hands, we all have the disease."

It was then that I heard the still, small voice again. "Speak now," it said, "but be humble." I noted wryly the latter admonition, then rose from my chair. I apologized for any upset I might have caused earlier, congratulated the teacher on an excellent lesson that would impress the youth, and concluded by saying I had only one small point I wished to make.

"Not all of us were infected." I said. "One of us... abstained."

Seasons of Relationships...

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason, you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (any way); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant Thank you for being a part of my life....

A Little About Me

I found this on one of my old website pages that I had put up for a scrapbooking challenge in 2006... wonder if they are all still true?! lol

A Little About Me

1. Jesus is Lord of my life and I try to live that out as best I can 2. My family is the next most important thing in my life 3. I am married to a wonderful husband 4. I am a SAHM of 5 5. I have lived in Tennessee all my life 6. I was born in the season of Summer 7. I have 1 sister 8. I am 5'4" 9. I have red hair with some "silver" :0) 10. I hate to cook 11. I love to read 12. Scrapbooking is a way of life for me because... 13. Photos and family history matter! 14. I love graphics and I love printing 15. I love Christian Music because it focuses me on Truth 16. Blue is my favorite color 17. Daisies are my favorite flowers 18. I collect Raggedy Ann 19. I'm a simple person but have been considered snobby because I'm extremely shy 20. Yes, I'm shy - really! 21. Also, I am usually very serious 22. I'm a morning person. 23. I'm very sentimental 24. I hate traffic because I'm usually in a hurry and most people drive like idiots. (Am I being judgemental here? ha!) 25. My favorite movie for now is "You've Got Mail" 26. I am a huge movie fan-If I could, I would probably sit and watch movies non-stop for a week, eating popcorn all the while, of course 27. I love divinity from Gatlinburg! 28. I am on our Women's Ministry team at my church 29. I am the Puppet Team leader at my church 30. I work with the Awana program at my church 31. I was a computer science major in college and started when they still taught card-punch! Ouch, my age is showing now!! 32. I took my first road trip with my cousin when I was a freshman in college 33. I hate to shop 34. I love to play on my computer 35. I would like to try being a hermit for a year 36. I believe that God is sovereign and that He has a purpose for my life 37. I am a terrible housekeeper and feel ashamed about it almost all the time 38. My sister and I suffer from HSD - Horizontal Surface Disease - if it's a flat surface, we have something piled on it, it's genetic!! 39. I love to get pajamas for Christmas and birthdays 40. I consider freshly laundered sheets one of my favorite luxuries! 41. I love the post office and mailing cards and letters 42. I despise banking service charges 43. I dislike getting dirt in my fingernails, but desire a beautiful garden - tough to reconcile, huh? 44. I have been a fan of Mary Engelbreit art since she first designed greeting cards in the 80's 45. I like Susan Branch artwork as well, because both of them use a lot of quotes in their drawings 46. When my beloved poodle died, I swore I would never get another pet... that's been 20 years now 47. I hate going to the doctor and having blood drawn 48. I love Christmas 49. I think everyone should know and sing the National Anthem 50. I appreciate YOU for visiting my website. ~ Thanks ~

Back to the 70's

I'm going back in time as I am preparing for a class reunion next year. I graduated in 1978, which means my formative teen years was during the 70's decade. Let's remember together... Mood rings, lava lamps, Rubik's cube, Sea Monkeys, smiley face stickers, string art, and pet rocks all captured the imagination of my classmates during the 70's. The wildest fad surely was streaking nude through very public places! Families vacationed in station wagons and everyone wanted an RV. Guys sported shoulder length hair and non-traditional "establishment" clothing became the rage, including bellbottom pants, hip huggers, colorful patches, hot pants, platform shoes, earth shoes, clogs, T-shirts, and gypsy dresses. Leisure suits for men became commonplace, and women were fashionable in everything from ankle-length grandmother dresses to hot pants and micro-miniskirts. The movie Annie Hall (1977) even inspired a fashion trend with women sporting traditional men's clothing such as derby hats, tweed jackets, and neckties worn with baggy pants or skirts. During the 1970's the United States underwent some profound changes. First a Vice President and then a President resigned under threat of impeachment. The Vietnam War continued to divide the country even after the Paris Peace Accords in January 1973 put an end to U.S. military participation in the war. Roe v. Wade legalized abortion. Crime increased despite Nixon's pledge to make law and order a top priority of his presidency. Increased immigration followed passage of the Immigration Act of 1965, which reformed an earlier policy that favored western Europeans. People from Third World countries came to this country in search of economic betterment or to escape political repression. Women, minorities, and gays increasingly demanded full legal equality and privileges in society. Women expanded their involvement in politics. The proportion of women in state legislatures tripled. Women surpassed men in college enrollment in 1979. However, the rising divorce rate left an increasing number of women as sole breadwinners and forced more and more of them into poverty. I'm also listening to 70's on my Sirius radio, and there's nothing like music to take you back to a time and place! By the 1970's, the term "rock & roll" had become nearly meaningless. This decade saw the breakup of the Beatles and the death of Elvis Presley (I was going in to work at Karmelkorn when I heard the news and everyone was stunned!, robbing rock of two major influences. Pop music splintered into a multitude of styles: soft rock, hard rock, country rock, folk rock, punk rock, shock rock -­ and the dance craze of the decade, disco! But whatever sub-genre(s) you preferred, rock music was big business. It was a crazy and great time to be alive, wasn't it? :) [read more here kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade70.html]

Compassion

This post spoke to me. Having had an experience of being falsely accused of something and suffering a semi-public scolding, I will always remember the people who were loving and compassionate to me, who continued to uplift me in prayer. It was a hard time of my life and I went into a pretty deep depression, barely functioning for many months, but pretending when I was out in public (and not very well I might add), but eventually I was proven to be in right-standing and reinstated. The damage had been done to my emotions however. And I know that if I had practiced living more faithfully, my depression might have ended more quickly. As I grow older, I know that God has had to re-teach me things... things that in my stubbornness I have been so hard-headed about, but He patiently gives as many 'second chances' as we need. Thank God for Your mercy, never ending.

This post by Harvey Mackey, well known writer and speaker, reminded me of my personal experience; and also a former pastor, Tom Suiter, had told this story about the wolves. I just thought it was a powerful reminder of showing compassion to all.

ALL of us need compassion. We all have different trials and troubles, but the common thread is that we all have them.

Compassion A Native American grandfather was talking about how he felt to his grandson. “I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart,” he said. “One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one.”

The grandson asked him, “Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?”
The grandfather answered, “The one I feed.”

According to one definition, compassion is an emotion that is a sense of shared suffering, most often combined with a desire to alleviate the suffering of another and to show special kindness to them. Compassion essentially starts with empathy. Compassionate acts consider the suffering of others and attempt to alleviate it as if it were one’s own. In this sense, compassion is the cornerstone of the Golden Rule.

Where does compassion fit in business? Will it hurt the bottom line? Will it make our company look soft, like a pushover?

The answers: At all levels, no and definitely not. Compassion and profitability are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, companies that are perceived as people-oriented and good corporate citizens have a far better chance of succeeding than those that put profits ahead of people.

When I was interviewing New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for my book We Got Fired!…And It’s The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Us, the mayor told me that one thing he never forgot was the people who called him after he was fired by Salomon Brothers.

“I remember the exact list,” Bloomberg said. “If any of them end up in trouble, I’ll call them. If you see them on the way up, you should see them on the way down. Whenever someone gets fired or has some real problems, I always call to tell them my thoughts are with them. And if I can be of any help whatsoever, please let me know”

Michael Bloomberg is right about being there at the dark moments. I have always tried to call people when they were down, or to do what I could to help them get back on their feet and succeed. I believe compassion should be a vital part of our character.

There is a big difference between compassion and sympathy. Sympathy sees and says, “I’m sorry.” Compassion feels and declares, “I’ll help.” Compassionate people really care.

There are scientific studies suggesting there are physical benefits to practicing compassion. People who practiced compassion produced 100 percent more DHEA, a hormone that is though to counteract the aging process, and 23 percent less cortisol–the “stress” hormone.

When you’re happy, you make others m,ore happy. Why? Because compassionate people are more positive, plain and simple. Compassionate people radiate vibes that make the people around them happy to be where they are. And every skilled salesperson knows that a happier prospect is more receptive and more inclined to be a repeat customer.

Confucius said wisdom, compassion and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of a person. I’m not a big philosopher, but who could disagree with that?

Moral: Helping someone up won’t pull you down, and could very easily pull them to your side.

repost from Harvey Mackey -

harveymackay.com/compassion-uplifts-you-too/greywolf/

Welcome to Motherhood

Dear new mom,

The first thing you should know is that you are normal. Everything you are feeling is normal. Millions of women have been in your shoes and for some reason just don't ever talk about it.

It is OK to feel happy, elated, sad, weepy, angry, frustrated, exhausted, energetic and all that in a span of 10 minutes.

It is OK to question your choice to have a baby in the first place. Every mom has those moments. The whole "what have I gotten myself into"? feeling is normal. It's a HUGE change. YOU CAN DO THIS.

It is OK to have moments where you don't like that baby. It's true, hard to write and read but so very true. You are learning to take care of, and anticipate all the needs, wants and desires of a whole other person. On top of your own. It's only natural that you have moments of annoyance or anger towards the person who is demanding so much of you. That does not mean you love them less, it just means you are a human learning to do a HUGE task. It is OK to put that baby in the crib, crying or not and walk away until that anger passes. It will get better. It is OK TO TALK ABOUT THIS TO SOMEONE!!!!!

A crying baby will be fine. No baby is allergic to crying.

Please say OUTLOUD the ways that your husband can help you. Do not assume that he will magically read your mind. I bet he really WANTS to help you but he feels as lost as you. A simple kind suggestion to what you need or want done can go a long way to making everyone a little bit happier. Talk about how hard it is to be a parent!

You will feel like a crazy person. You have insane amounts of hormones literally raging through your body. You will literally, simultaneously say something that sounds like a deranged woman is talking WHILE hearing your inner voice yell "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING YOU CRAZY WOMAN?". Take a deep breath, say "I'm sorry" and move on. Don't beat yourself up over it. It will get better.

You will leak milk at the least appropriate times. You will probably expose yourself to a stranger at least once. Don't worry, you WILL get the hang of it. When it's all said and done you may end up with less cleavage than you started with. Sorry, it can be true.

If you are going to breastfeed please try for at least a month. I hear SO many people say "I tried for two weeks and quit"...it gets SO MUCH EASIER after two weeks. It really, really does. Your body needs at least that long to adjust to this strange new thing that you are doing.

Your hair will fall out. Not all of it but a lot of it. All the hair that you didn't shed while pregnant. Pony tails help.

Your bladder will never be the same. Go when you need to, don't wait.

Mylicon is a lifesaver. There are a million uses for plain cloth diapers that don't involve using them as diapers. When trying to decide what you NEED for a baby think about life on the prairie and how little they needed and had then. A bed, some clothes, some bottles/boobs and diapers are all a baby needs. Don't give into pressure to buy it all.

Attending to things other than baby does not equal neglect (like taking a shower or eating or washing a dish). It is also OK to skip all those for a nap. Take a nap when you can. Sleep changes everything. EVERYTHING. If you nurse in bed, do it knowing that you will probably fall asleep...adjust baby accordingly.

Your baby will probably fall off the bed. At least once. You may also drive without having them buckled in the bucket carseat (unintentionally), baby talk to your husband and your once amazing memory will start its exit routine.

You will regularly have in depth conversations about poop. When, where, how much, texture, color...all of it. And it won't feel weird until you do it in front of non-kid having people.

You will be pooped on, puked on, spit-up on and drooled on. Oxiclean will take care of most of it.

Don't ever thank God that the baby is finally asleep.
Somehow that is code for "please make him cry right now!".

Middle of the night bargaining never works.

Never say anything that starts with "My kid will never...".

Most of all, I want you to know that you can do this. God chose YOU to be the mother of HIS sweet precious baby. You were handpicked by the creator of the universe to have your own little disciple to minister to. Admit when you have made a mistake, ask for forgiveness from God and that baby and keep trucking on. You are stronger than you know and before you know it these days will be in the distant past.

Find someone to talk to.

YOU CAN DO THIS!

Love,
Been there and done that.

What do you think moms? Did I leave anything out that you wish you knew when you were first a mom?


{credits to www.littlebitfunky.com/search/label/mom%20stuff}

Get a Job, Sha-na-na-na-na...

Remember that old song?
It was sung by The Silhouettes in 1957, before my time but I'd say everyone has heard it.

Anyway, I read a blog this morning that touched a nerve.
I was thinking about how tired I have gotten of listening to people say they can't find a job ANYWHERE, they can't get a job or find the right job, and yet they need income, and they have expenses, so...

Are you really serious about needing money?
Nothing wrong with fast food - I actually learned a lot working at my first job, which was Karmelkorn in our local mall.
McDonald's may not be your career choice, but please!

So ---
I am turning over my blog post today to republish a post from ScLoHo's Collective Wisdom .com


Everyone has to start somewhere
By Harvey Mackay

Comedian Jim Carrey took a job as a janitor at a tire factory at age 15 when his father lost his job. He also worked as a security guard. To relieve his stress, he visited local comedy clubs, which instilled his love of comedy -- and prepared him for a blockbuster career.

Everyone has to start somewhere. Like Jim Carrey, I started by pushing a broom at an envelope manufacturing company and worked my way into sales in six months. My career path took a different turn, but all in all, I'd say my humble start led to a life I love.

You never know where your career will go once you get your foot in the door and learn about different businesses.

Many famous people started out very small before they hit it big. The main thing is they started and got experience. Pride didn't get in the way -- they had to pay the rent, eat and work toward their ultimate goals. Consider these examples.

Before Brad Pitt was a leading man in the movies, he worked various odd jobs, including driving limos, moving refrigerators and dressing up as a giant chicken to attract customers to a local restaurant.

Another one-time janitor is Stephen King. He job was cleaning a girls' locker room, which later became his inspiration for his best-selling novel "Carrie."

Cooking show hostess Rachael Ray started out working at the candy counter at Macy's in New York City. She later managed the fresh-foods department, which helped pave the way to her sizzling cooking career.

Donald Trump collected soda bottles for the deposit money and later went around with rent collectors to learn about that business. Do you suppose that's where he got the idea for The Apprentice?

David Letterman, Diane Sawyer, Raquel Welch and George Carlin were all weather people on TV.

Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell computers, and personal-finance guru Suzie Orman, washed dishes at restaurants.

The late George Steinbrenner, who later owned the New York Yankees among other businesses, helped his older siblings raise the family's chickens, which he would also kill and dress for customers.

Working at ice cream shops is part of the resumes for Julia Roberts, Lucille Ball and Robin Williams, who also was a street mime before he got into acting.

And I'd wager that every one of these fabulously successful people would tell you that they still remember the lessons they learned from those early labors -- even if one of those lessons was that they wanted more out of life.

Few people would describe their first jobs as their dream jobs. The work is usually hard, the pay is never enough, and the hours are lousy. The experience, however, is invaluable.

As college graduates start to learn the realities of the business world, I tell them that they will have to pay their dues. There is no substitute for real-world experience. Hard work is still a requirement for success. You can't start at the top and work your way up.

In this economy, I'm frequently hearing stories about folks who are starting over in their careers due to downsizing, restructuring, technology or belly-up businesses. Most don't have to start at the bottom, but they aren't making lateral moves either.

My advice is always the same whether you are starting up or starting over: Keep your options open. Don't discount the value of any working experience. Expand your network at every opportunity, because you never know who might know someone who could use your talents and skills. Volunteer some time to get more and varied experience. Make sure you have a presence on social networking sites, especially LinkedIn and Facebook.

Perhaps the most important tip I can pass along is this: Never be afraid to ask for help. There are plenty of people who have created successful businesses, and even more who have built successful careers. Learning from others is essential, no matter how much you have learned from your own experience.

Finally, don't be afraid to dream. Long before Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney dropped out of school at age 16 to join the Army, but was rejected because of his age. He became a Red Cross ambulance driver in World War I instead. He wanted to be an artist when he came home, and with determination, an entertainment empire was born. For Walt Disney, "a dream is a wish your heart makes."

Mackay's Moral: You can't win the race if you never start.

Starting New Habits and Saving Money

Well... it seems peer pressure has been in full swing at my church on Hill Road! Almost everyone and their brother are posting on facebook and chatting in the aisles about their running, their fitness training, their P90X workouts, their new Zumba classes... it's hard to be a couch potato these days!

So ~ I've been trying to start new healthier habits. Why oh why is that so difficult?

I'm in my last week of the No Boundaries program (sponsored by our local Fleet Feet store) and it has been a short (sometimes grueling!) time of learning about running and trying to get into shape for a 5K, although I did not start this in order to do a 5K. I have actually walked the Susan G. Komen 5K race each year in Kingsport since Mom's cancer diagnosis. For those of you interested in numbers, it takes me an hour to walk the 3.1 miles.

For me, the program was to be a kick-start to doing regular, weekly activity. I felt like I needed the accountability, someone who would miss me when I missed, and perhaps some helpful information to get me on the right track. I needed a healthy choice that I can maintain in order to combat the osteoporosis that I have since suffering from early menopause at the age 36.

But another phenomenon was going on at my church about the same time all this healthy stuff was happening: the crazy coupon addiction!

Ladies at church talking about the best deals, their great savings, and even posting pictures of their treasures. While I love a good deal and I don't mind using coupons for items that I actually use, I much prefer freebies and giveaways!

I was the dorky kid who always filled out the mail-in forms and sent $1 shipping to the cereal company for whatever cool item was being advertised. I place the blame squarely on my Mamaw Ketron's shoulders because she was forever mailing things out and getting things in. It was like Christmas every day in her mailbox!

That is why I love this site - The Giveaway Scout www.giveawayscout.com/.
It searches the world wide web and looks through blogs to find what the coolest giveaway is! Now isn't that something? Take a peek - and I've added their widget to my blog to make it easy for you.

If we would each take advantage of all our resources, think of what an impact we could make by sharing the surplus with those in our community who are in need. Because one healthy choice can lead to another!

By the way, here's a neat coupon/deal site to help in your quest to save money - Southern Savers www.southernsavers.com/ and here's a fitness teacher that can get your too comfy tushy up and moving - archerfitness.blogspot.com/2011/05/group-fitness-isnt-limited-to-classroom.html - May we all continue or renew our New Year's resolution to get healthy with our money and our bodies as we start the summer season!

Lies and Truth... Love Conquers All

So, I've been on an emotional roller coaster this week... actually it's been since last Mother's Day... some of you know the details. I'm exhausted right now. And I was driving home from a road trip Saturday when this Toby Mac song came on the radio. I had one of those "ah-ha" moments, realizing that too many decisions in my life have been based on fear; fear and disbelief.

Not really believing that I was loved or good enough. Because of a stupid perfectionist personality, knowing that I was trying my best, and still failing... so therefore I was most assuredly not worthy of love from anyone.

And is this why someone becomes self-destructive? rebellious? wallows in sin? because you wrongly believe you can't do better? or make a change? you're beyond hope?

Sometimes I'm strong, and I can see the schemes of the devil, and I can discern the lies from truth.
And sometimes I'm not.
I have conversations with myself, my weak flesh, and my tormented memories of bad decisions... and then I'm stuck down there in the muck and mud, defeated and depressed.

It's one thing when it's me. It's another thing when it's my child.
And my heart just continues to be broken. I think I've cried it all out. I think I've turned it all over. And then out of no where, I feel the pain and the tears just start to pour out of me again.

How long do we wait Oh Lord? And why do we have to wait?
I become an impatient 2-year-old so quickly in this pain.

And then the quietness of the Holy Spirit comes into my mind, a scripture verse (“Cast your burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain you..." Psalms 55:22) or the words to a Toby Mac song:

You turned away when I looked you in the eye,
And hesitated when I asked if you were alright,
Seems like you're fighting for your life,
But why? oh why?
Wide awake in the middle of your nightmare,
You saw it comin' but it hit you outta no where,
And theres always scars
When you fall that far

We lose our way,
We get back up again
It's never too late to get back up again,
One day you gonna shine again,
You may be knocked down,
But not out forever,

You rolled out at the dawning of the day
Heart racin' as you made you little get away,
It feels like you've been runnin' all your life
But, why? Oh why?

So you've pulled away from the love that wou'd've been there,
You start believin' that your situation's unfair

But there's always scars,
When you fall that far

We lose our way,
We get back up again
Never too late to get back up again,
One day, you gonna shine again,
You may be knocked down but not out forever,

This is love callin', love callin', out to the broken,
This is love callin'.
This is love callin', love callin',
I am so broken
This is love callin' love callin



God, please let me be confident in Your Love and let me rest in You.
Thanks to Toby Mac for the song, and thanks to God for the reminder. <3