Voiceless

Wednesday I went to help my mom get her Christmas stuff down from the attic... Within hours I was coughing... Thursday, Friday, Saturday were no exceptions... I sounded like someone who had smoked for 50 years... 

I woke up about every hour each night to keep from choking on the wonderful stuff trying to get out.... 3 days of that and you will no doubt be be voiceless. That's how I am today. 

The only sound I can make is what is coming from my keyboard. For those of you who came to my 30th birthday party, my voice went about as fast as it did that day... I knew it was coming...or should i say going.... Hopefully it will be back in time for the kiddos tomorrow. I think I will make some hot tea... Any other suggestions???

Rainy Saturday

Today is the perfect day in my book... Lots of people like the sun so they can get out and about, but for me, I love these rainy cold days when I can just stay at home in my "relaxing" clothes and get stuff done inside that I neglect way to often. It is unfortunate that I wait til these days to get the stuff done, because I am much more relaxed and enjoy my house so much better when everything is in order.... There is a spiritual message there too... Ill let you chew on that one and figure it out. 

No, I am not the perfectionists that I used to be, or even the one that some of you claim I am... If you could see my house right now, you would know. I should post pics, but I do not think I am ready to divulge that just yet :0)... Looks like Christmas and the washing machine threw up in here all at the same time... Thank goodness for this rain to make me stay in and get it all tidied up. What do you do on these cold, rainy, winter days?

ABC's All About Me...

I totally stole this from some other blog, but thought it would be good to do since I've been in a blog drought.

A: Attached or Single.... Single

B: Best Friend... Matt Johnson

C: Cake or Pie... neither... not a dessert fan.

D. Day of Choice... HOLI"DAYS"

E. Essential Item... Sharpies... I take one everywhere I go.

F: Favorite Color... Red

G: Gummy bears or worms... Bears, but only if they are red.

H: Home town... Boiling Springs, SC

I: Favorite Indulgence... Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes... BUY ME SOME!!!!

J: Jan. or July... Jan... I LOVE SNOW!

K: Kids... hopefully one day!!

L: Lemon in your tea... NO!

M: Marriage Date... at this rate, whenever Jesus returns

N: Number or siblings: 2

O: Oranges or Apples... Apples (Galas are my favorite!)

P: Phobias... spiders, horror movies, spiders, falling from a high place... did I say spiders????

Q: Quotes... "Bye Buddy, Hope you find your dad!" Mr. Norwal in ELF

R: Reasons to smile... I have so many things to smile about!!!

S: Season of choice... Winter

T: Think of 5 people who may do this... Matt, Julie, Karen, Emily... and maybe Lori and Ryan

U: Unusual Fact... I have 2 webbed toes on each foot.

V: Vegetable... carrots and green beans

W: Worst Habit... the constant clearing of my throat... I HATE IT!!!

X: Excited about.... going to the OCC Warehouse 3 times this season!!! 

Y: Your Favorite Food... Mama's hand patted burgers, fries, and chili!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Z: Zoo or ZZZZZ's..... I like to sleep, but the last time I went to the zoo was pretty good too!

Random Thanks

I could be like a lot of other bloggers today and type all the meaningful things I am thankful for, but in keeping with my silly personality, I thought I would list some ridiculously random things I am thankful for to keep you entertained now that you are stuffed full of turkey.

1. I am thankful that I have 2 full bottles of ketchup in the fridge.

2. I am thankful that my new socks have stayed up all day.

3. I am thankful that my dishes are piled up... that means I am relaxing and not worrying about them.

4. I am thankful that Kevin (in Home Alone) is entertaining me on the TV!

5. I am thankful that there is nothing I really need to get up early and get tomorrow like I did last year... Have fun early birds!!!

6. I am thankful that I am finally posting another blog... it's been a whole week.

7. I am thankful that even though my bedroom shoes have a hole in them, they are still comfortable.

8. I am thankful that my spare bedroom has been turned into a Christmas room for the holidays... It is cozy in there... and a 9 ft. tree.

9. I am thankful that only one serving dish broke when I fell down the last 4 steps of the attic ladder.

10. I am thankful that none of you were here to see me fall down the last 4 steps of the attic ladder.

11. I am thankful that I do not listen to Polka music. (I am watching Home Alone... remember that part!!!)

12. I am thankful that I ate potato casserole today... I LOVE IT!!!! 

13. I am thankful that I came up with all these random things to be thankful for. Hope you are entertained! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I give up...

I have wasted countless hours trying to change this thing.... I looked at 1000 different blogs and I just cannot find one that "screams" me as my readers have put it, so I surrender... I yield... I give up! It is back to the original one with a few tweaks... Hopefully you haven't been too disgusted by the frogs. 

On a different note... What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Anyone want to join me at the OCC warehouse? Let me know if you are interested!

Have a great Friday!

1285

1285 is the total number of shoe boxes that we took up this year. I am really proud considering that lots of people have been in a pinch this year. I can only imagine how happy at 1285 kids will be in just a few months when their little box arrives. Join me as you read in praying for the boxes... I can only imagine the journey they go on. From my car, to a truck, to a bigger truck, to a warehouse, to a volunteer's hands, to a forklift, to another truck, to an airplane, to a canoe, camel, or jeepney, into the hands of a child who the Lord selected to receive it. Its amazing huh? If you didn't do a box there is still time. They will be receiving them at FBNS (email if do not know) this week til 5 each day. Remember... It's not just a box; It's a child.

Colorful and Happy

Apparently my readers are united... I am a colorful, happy person and the black and white layout did not "scream" Jed. I am trying again with this one. I am not sold on this one but I am trying to find a good. What do you think??? I don't think this one screams me either, but after loading so many on here I cannot get it back to what it was. Pardon my dust while I remodel! 

PS... If you were on my blog roll, send me you link because I lost them all playing around on here!

New Look

Everyone else is doing it... I might as well be a lemming and follow. Let me know what you think of this look. I have a couple I will be displaying over the next day or two. Drop me a comment and let me know about the color, readability, etc.

It's Quiet!

Right now it is almost 11PM on Thursday night. I have been babysitting tonight and the girls are staying over because I am taking tomorrow off. They are tucked into bed, Matt is asleep in his room, and here I sit at the kitchen table... The quiet that I am hearing right now is so weird. Weird meaning, very peaceful; not spooky.

It's peaceful to the point that my fingers hitting the keys of the Mac are a bit reminiscent of a gong. Yes, they seem that loud. 

What makes it even more peaceful is that my Christmas tree is all lit up and shimmering in the night. You heard me right... It's up. Not decorated, but up! I put it up because it takes me forever to fluff it out and make it look right, so I thought I would get a move on, especially since i put up 4 trees. Have I told you I love Christmas????

The irony of this peaceful quiet is that just moments ago the house was full of chaos. My nieces were getting out of the tub, water was everywhere, they were screaming about brushing their teeth and wanting fruit snacks, Matt was mad because he realized that a whole load of laundry he put in around 730 didn't wash because the washer is broken (like, we have to get a new one broken), the TV's were blaring with an outrageously good survivor (when will they vote Randy off???)... and now... nothing, not a peep. Just me, the Mac, and the tree... Sounds like a good children's book huh? 

Don't you just love these moments. I rarely get these moments of total peace and quiet, guess that's why I am liking it now... uh oh, the heat came on. Not total quiet now, but a soothing hum to lull me to sleep. Guess I better shut it down for the night. 'Til next time... 

Alligators!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today my nieces, Johnnie-Lynn and Lawrence spent the afternoon here. Every time the girls are here I play a game with them where I tell them that there are alligators on the floor so the do not get off my bed. Normally, it provides them both with a lot of fun, but...today, it literally scared Sophie to death. 

I could not resist videoing it. It was so hilarious. I posted the video on here, but for some reason it would not open and I had to take it off. The gist of it was though, that everytime the alligators tried to get Taylor, Sophie would go nuts!!!!!  She was petrified!!! 

Don't worry about Sophie though,  I think she finally felt some relief at the end.... she looked at the camera and said bye bye alligators. It was too cute. Tune back in tomorrow and maybe it will be loaded.

Whatever Happens

Remember this.

You are not a God
Created by human hands
You are not a God
Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a God
In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is...

You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You were on the throne
You are God alone

You’re the only God
Whose power none can contend
You’re the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God
Who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And that’s just the way it is

Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That’s what You are

It's good to know that I don't have to worry either way.
Happy Voting!

Packing Shoe Boxes With the Family

Here is a video of the family packing our Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. My "idiot" brother-in-law filmed it... He told me to tell you that... Let me know if you need any help or have any questions about how to pack a box. Remember they are due at church on NOVEMBER 16th!!!!

The plastic shoe boxes are now on sale at Wal-Mart. The lady today told me if you go there and they are out of them on the shelf to ask for them because they have a bunch in the back.... Go now... PACK A BOX!!!!!!!

Here's an idea of what to put in there..... Crayola Crayons (rosearts stink), Coloring Book, Ball, Stuffed Animal, Jax, Marbles, Wash Cloth, Soap, Toothpaste and Brush, A Letter From You etc...

NOT TO PUT: Liquids of any kinds, perishable food, army toys, scary Halloween stuff, glass, religious literature.

Email me if you have any more questions.