Laughing is good medicine

I was reading in Proverbs this morning, looking for verses that pertain to speech in preparation for Pastor Ritch's sermon tomorrow on James 1:19, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry."

While reading, I came across this verse, "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." Maybe that's why they just keep springing up. :)

There is Power in the Blood

Revelation 12:11 "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb."

I heard this hymn on my iPod today and it made me dance in my car :)

Would you be free from your burden of sin?
There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;
Would you o'er evil a victory win?
There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.

Would you be free from your passion and pride?
There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;
Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide.
There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.

Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?
There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;
Sin stains are lost in its life giving flow.
There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.

Would you do service for Jesus, your King?
There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;
Would you live daily His praises to sing?
There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.

There is pow'r, p0w'r, wonder working pow'r
In the blood...of the Lamb.
There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder working pow'r
In the precious blood of the Lamb.

Scatterbrained

Here's how my Monday revealed that my roommate may possibly be wearing off on me a teensy, weensy little bit :) Don't worry....she agrees. And she laughs...

I got to work and opened the car door, automatically hitting the lock button. But then I realized I was blocking the parking space next to me while I gathered my stuff together, so I shut the door until I was finished. When I went to get out of the car, the door wouldn't open because it was locked. So, I hit the unlock button and it wouldn't work. So, I manually unlocked it, only to set off the panic alarm. So, then I panic and turn for my car keys. But I can't find them. In the few minutes it took to gather my stuff I managed to misplace them. So, I tried opening and closing the door. Didn't work. I tried inserting the spare key (which I had driven with and knew where it was). Didn't work. Finally found my keys and started hitting buttons. Didn't work. Got back out of the car and continued hitting buttons. Finally, the alarm turned off. At least one coworker witnessed some of this. How embarrassing! :)

Fast forward about 10 hours. I was meeting with a friend at 8:00 to review Scripture memory. I decided to go to Walmart before that to do my grocery shopping. So, I left the apartment at 7:15, got to Walmart, and picked up all my groceries in record time. I got to the counter and put my stuff on the conveyor, waiting for the customer ahead of me to be finished. Dug through my purse for my wallet so that I would be ready to scan my debit card as soon as she started scanning my groceries. Hmmm...oh, there's my ipod, chapstick, a couple pens, late birthday card, directions to my friend's house, my grocery list, cell phone, keys, etc., etc. BUT no wallet. SIGH. It was still safe in my apartment in my work bag. When I got in the car, I realized I had enough time to go back to the apartment and get my wallet so that maybe I could go back to Walmart after I met with Amy. As I walked into the apartment, surprising Emily, I explained the situation. Grabbed my wallet, and was heading out the door. On the way out I said, "Emily, I think you're wearing off on me." When I got in the car, I felt guilty because I hoped that comment didn't offend her, but later, she said she laughed because she had been thinking the same thing when I was walking out the door! I also got finished at Amy's too late to go shopping, so I went tonight.

Two scatterbrained things in the same day...not typical for me!

Road Trip with a Twist

I'm all for spontaneous road trips if I'm in the right mood. Lisa can vouch for the fact that I've said no to more than one last minute road trip, but I've also said yes to just as many. So, Thursday night after Bible study I had a voicemail from her that said, "I've got a crazy idea. Call me." So I did. Lisa works for an airline and wanted me to come to Texas for the weekend to surprise Danell for her birthday on Saturday. Part of me wanted to go, but part of me said, "A road trip is one thing, but a flying trip is another." We talked pros and cons and I was ready to go if we could pretty much guarantee that I could get back on Saturday. But, there are no guarantees for standby. As we were talking, I was standing in front of the TV and a commercial for Broadway's Beauty and the Beast came on and I suddenly realized that I am supposed to see that on Sunday. So I told Lisa that I would love to come but I don't think it's going to work out. We were both sad, but I felt like I had made a good decision.

I had already planned to take Friday off of work, so I woke up around 9 and procrastinated doing a bunch of stuff I wanted to do. Around 11:30 I put my sheets in the washing machine and got into the shower. While I was in the shower, I said to myself, "I have no plans for today. There's a good chance that I could come home on the 7:20 flight on Saturday. If I don't make that flight, someone else can go to Beauty and the Beast. I want to go to Texas." So, I got out of the shower, called Lisa, she signed me up for the 2:55 flight, I quickly got ready, packed in the smallest bag I have ever taken on an airplane (don't worry, I took a picture of it :) !), went by the church to tell Kari about possibly missing Beauty and the Beast and asked if she could feed the cats (I'm cat sitting this weekend) if I didn't make it back until Sunday, grabbed some lunch, went and fed the cats, and made it to the airport at 1:45. Lisa was in constant contact to let me know the status of the likelihood I could get on the flight. And I did! :)

Friday night I had Chick-fil-a for dinner (of course) and Lisa and I went to see Valentine's Day at a Studio Grill Theater. You sit at a table and eat while you watch the movie--very fun. We had dessert since we had already eaten dinner. Then we made plans with Diana for the surprise in the morning. Danell was coming to the metroplex for the day because it was her birthday. Diana's husband was going to Aquilla to help Danell's husband with the twins all day. Lisa and I had planned to get to Diana's first but were running late, so Danell was already there when we got there. I rang the doorbell, Diana answered and stepped aside. Danell's mouth dropped and then she started crying as she got up to give me a hug!

I was able to spend until 6:00 with everyone. We went and got pedicures, ate lunch at a sushi restaurant, hung out, played Ticket to Ride Europe, ate strawberry cupcakes (I inherited them as my favorite from Danell), and rode together to the airport. I was able to make it onto the 7:20 flight and was back home in Peoria by 9:30. Talk about a whirlwind trip! But it was so worth it! So, I guess instead of a road trip, I went on an air trip?! And I still get to see Beauty and the Beast tomorrow! :)

Pictures of the weekend to follow, of course.

A Weekend of Busyness

It was a quick weekend filled with fun! Friday I actually worked until 5:30. I know that most of you don't believe that I work a full day on Friday, ever, so I was just letting you know that sometimes I do :). Then it was home for a quick bite to eat and off to see Valentine's Day with some friends. I tried to make it an early bedtime, but did not manage it. I was up early to watch babies at church while their parents attended a marriage conference. Then it was off to poke my eye out, I mean go grocery shopping, at Walmart. Then home long enough to make a coffee cake for Sunday School. Then I went over to Dad and Amy's to hang out for awhile before we went to the PCS basketball game. Both JV and Varsity games were exciting. I forgot how much I like basketball. The Varsity game was one of the most exciting I've been to. The game stayed within a 6 point game the whole time. The other team was up by 3 points with less then 3 seconds left in the game when one of the PCS players got the ball and managed to make a basket from the 3 point line which tied the game and put them into overtime. During those 4 minutes, the score was never more than 5 points apart and PCS ended up winning by 2 points! I thought I was going to lose my voice because I was screaming so much :). And I didn't even go to school there. Home again where I again tried to go to bed early but was too busy trying on all my old bridesmaid dresses. I am going to a 4 year old's princess birthday party next week and have to dress up. Then it was up early Sunday morning for nursery first service, attend second service, Sunday School third service, out with the group for lunch, home for a 30 minute nap, make a side dish for House to House, attend House to House, home to catch up with my roommate, and then in bed by 10:30. Whew...no wonder I'm still tired today :) But it was a fun weekend and I wouldn't do anything differently, except maybe skipping lunch out on Sunday afternoon, but I had some good conversations with people that I really enjoyed. I hope everyone else had a great weekend as well!

Favorite Movies, Part Three

1. "Okay I look like an asparagus." "But a very, very cute asparagus!" (The Princess Diaries)
2. No man controls my destiny... especially not one who attacks downwind and stinks of garlic. (Robin Hood Prince of Thieves)
3. Are you crying? Are you crying? ARE YOU CRYING? There's no crying! THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL! (A League of Their Own)
4. "She's lost that loving feeling." "She's lo... No she hasn't." "Yes, she has." "She's not lost that lo..." "She's lost it, man." "I hate it when she does that." (Top Gun)
5. "Well, it's kind of a winter sport, you know." "You mean winter, as in ice?" "Possibly." "You mean winter, as in Eskimos and igloos and penguins and ICE?" (Cool Runnings)
6. "Do you know what time it is?" "A watch doesn't really go with this outfit, daddy." (Clueless)
7. You sit on a throne of lies. (Elf)
8. "If that don't beat all. I never saw such a dog." "And you won't never see another one like him." (Old Yeller)
9. I know you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed? (10 Things I Hate About You)
10. "I can see what's happening." "What?" "And they don't have a clue." "Who?" "They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line: Our trio's down to two." "Oh." "The sweet caress of twilight. There's magic everywhere. And with all this romantic atmosphere Disaster's in the air!" (The Lion King)

Favorite Movies, Part Two :)

Next several movies:

16. Fellas! Fellas! Check this... all... red![Lays down his hand, which is revealed as two diamonds and three hearts, as everyone at the table congratulates him on his "flush"] (Oceans 11)
17. "I want to buy her some flowers. That's what men do when they break a date." "That's not what men do. I know no men who do that." (The American President)
18. "Can you shovel manure?" "Manure just happens to be my speciality." (Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken)
19. Did you really Quack at the Principal? (Mighty Ducks)
20. "Please describe your idea of a perfect date." "That's a tough one. I would have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket." (Miss Congeniality)
21. I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy and girl meet, they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say I do. I was wrong. That's getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition. (Father of the Bride)
22."Gee Mom, we really missed you, we're so glad you're baaaaaack!" "They aren't mine..." "Oh I was sure you'd remember them!" "I think I'd remember if I had 3 children..." "FOUR honey, don't forget little Joe!" (Overboard)
23. "It's too early. I never eat December snowflakes. I always wait until January." "They sure look ripe to me." (A Charlie Brown Christmas)
24. Ohhh, isn't this amazing / It's my favorite part because, you'll see / Here's where she meets Prince Charming / But she won't discover that it's him / Till chapter three. (Beauty and the Beast)
25. "Did you like the opera, dear?" "It was so good, I almost peed my pants!" "She said she liked it better than Pirates of Penzance." (Pretty Woman)
26. [crying] Why you want to leave me? (My Big Fat Greek Wedding)
27. There are two kinds of thieves in this world: The ones who steal to enrich their lives, and those who steal to define their lives. (The Italian Job)
28. Lawzy, we got to have a doctor. I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' babies. (Gone With the Wind)
29. "There is a war on. How is it you are headed west?" "Well, we kinda face to the north and real sudden-like turn left." (Last of the Mohicans)
30. I can tell you the license plate numbers of all six cars outside. I can tell you that our waitress is left-handed and the guy sitting up at the counter weighs two hundred fifteen pounds and knows how to handle himself. I know the best place to look for a gun is the cab of the gray truck outside, and at this altitude, I can run flat out for a half mile before my hands start shaking. Now why would I know that? How can I know that and not know who I am? (Bourne Identity)

Have fun! :)

Favorite Movies, Part One

I was reading someone else's blog recently and she listed her favorite movies. So, I thought I'd do this, with a twist. Quotes from my favorite movies! These might come in several installments since it will take awhile to get quotes. But here is the first installment, and they are in no particular order of favoritism:

1. Is it to be at every meal, or merely at dinnertime, that you intend on leading us all through this rare and wonderful new world of... indigestion? (The Sound of Music)
2. A HOTDOG is singing. You need quiet while a hotdog is singing? (You've Got Mail)
3. I've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty / I have whoozits and whatzis galore / You want thingamabobs? I've got twenty (The Little Mermaid)
4. The world is full of nice, ordinary little people who live in nice, ordinary little houses on the ground. But didn't you ever dream of a house up on a tree top? (Swiss Family Robinson)
5. "I don't like to see her upset."; "If I was you, I'd invest in blindfolds." (The Cutting Edge)
6. Cynthia's my moon goddess. (Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead)
7. Careful with that one. You break it, you bought it! (Center Stage)
8. Attitude reflects leadership, captain. (Remember the Titans)
9. "Your honor, I object." "On what grounds?" "On the grounds of Brooklyn, your honor." (Newsies)
10. Do we know... Mo? (Sweet Home Alabama)
11. And I promise I'll never do it again. That's the one good thing about me. I never do the same wrong thing twice. (Anne of Green Gables)
12. As my grandpappy, Old Reliable, used to say... I don't recollect if I've ever mentioned Old Reliable before? (Lady and the Tramp)
13. My father used to say that if we ever had the money you have, we would eat steak and ice cream three times everyday! (Pollyanna)
14. (this one's a little long, but it's one of my favorite scenes) "Is that you?" "Is it me? I'm speaking so loud I'm hallucinating! For a while, I thought the Care Bears were here!" "Walter?" "Farm animals or geese or chickens..." "Walter?" "UPSTAIRS!" "Are you alright?" "No, I'm not alright." "Where are you?" "I'm in the den!" "No you're not, I was just in there..." "I'm in the den! I swear it! Please believe me!" "Will you stop fooling around, Walter? I'm tired!" "I'm right here." "Look, Walter, enough is enough!" "I'M RIGHT HERE!" "Where?" "In the floor behind the chair." (The Money Pit)
15. "What did I tell you that defines an emergency?" "A large meteoroid, severe blood loss and uh... what was the other thing?" "Death! And you're not dead!" (Two Weeks Notice)

If you can guess the movies, let me know in your comments!

Comfort

This evening was one of those evenings when I just wanted the "perfect" relaxing evening. Here is what I came up with:

Let me tell you. It was very relaxing and after I get some distractions out of the way, I might even go back to it. Hope everyone else is having a relaxing evening also!

Expect more blog posts soon. I've got some ideas percolating :)