Thursday, December 30, 2010

Tired and Weary???

Has 2010 left you tired and weary?? How about starting 2011 off with some restoration for your SOUL???!!! You (and your family) will be SO HAPPY you did!!!! It's NOT too late to enroll in the 6 week online course!!!! The best part about it is you will be joining women around the GLOBE on the same journey!!!! I mean, HOW MUCH FUN is this going to be??!!! Seriously, click on the box below and see what is in store.

Brave Girls Club
 

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

who is with me??

 Are you joining me on this 100 Joys journey????  It's only the 7th of December.  That means YOU still have time and can join me too.  On this fun journey of finding JOY during the month of December.  Don't let it stop after December is over.  Let it make you more aware of pure and simple JOYS in life.  every day. 

12.  "Do you want a tent?"  Those are the words that perk those ears up, that make her neck go back and forth like an egyptian (which makes us smile) and that make her peek under the blanket.  Yep.  I admit it.  I make her a tent with a fleece blanket on the couch waaaaaaay too often.  I think she likes it  because it makes her feel safe and keeps her extra warm and toasty.  

13.  The first day of Winter hasn't even arrived and I'm ready for this scenery already!  I don't miss the extreme heat and humidity, but I do miss being out on the water and seeing every shade of green you can imagine!!!

14.  Did you know that I find JOY in EVERY SINGLE SHADE of the color GREEN????????!!!!!!  Really.  I can't get enough of it!!!!!

15.  During the hot summer sun, I guess I enjoy a 'tent' from time to time too. 

I'm going to work on taking some photos tomorrow.  No promises, but I'm definitely going to try!!!!!  ;)
humongous love to you all!!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxoxoxooooo

Monday, December 6, 2010

the christmas jar

Okay.  I'm trying to make it to 100.  On my December 31st post, I might have 40 pictures to add.  haha.

11.  We didn't put up a tree this year.  We DO, however, have our festive "Christmas Jar".  Sparkly white mini-lights along with mini glass ball ornaments in a vase make a beautiful Christmas tree alternative.  It definitely puts a smile on my face just like that glass of Oliver Red Wine.  ;)

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Weekend JOYs

 7.  There are so many favorites in this photo.  When they all come together, it is PURE JOY!!!!!!

 8.  I have this fascination with barns.  I LOVE them!!!  From what I hear, living on a farm is really hard work, but when I see a barn it puts me at ease.  It makes me feel like I'm home ~ I don't understand it because I've never lived on a farm or know much about farming.  It just makes me feel like I can run free.....that brings me JOY. 

9.  There is no picture for this one, but something that also brings JOY is re-connecting with old friends.  Mike and I were out and about this evening and we ran into an old friend.  It was so great talking, reminiscing, and catching up.  I hope we can continue to rekindle our friendship in 2011.

10.  Another JOYous moment may seem ridiculous to you, but I think it's fun.  You know when you're putting away the dreaded laundry?  Make it fun!  I love it when I'm sitting on our bed, matching up socks, rolling/folding them up, and acting like I'm a basketball star!!  I aim the rolled up sock balls to the open sock drawer.  When I make a "basket", I enthusiastically say "SCORE!!!!!"  It definitely makes putting those socks away more fun! 

I hope you're finding your JOY this weekend!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoooo
Janet! 

Friday, December 3, 2010

Friday JOYS.

Did you check out Sarah Markley's challenge yet?  It's not too late!!!!!  The green ~100 joys~ box on the right side of this page will take you right to the challenge. 
 
 
3.  Today I wore my Brave Girl bracelet.  This has unexpectedly become one of my favorite pieces of jewelry.  I never thought I was a 'chunky jewelry' kind of girl..........until I wore this bracelet for the very first time!!!!!!  The beautiful soul behind this bracelet is my friend Maria over at Chickadee Bead Art.  She is so talented and ALL of her creations bring JOY to my heart and a smile to my face.

 4.  Before Brave Girl Camp, we were all asked to send in a photo of our feet.  Yes, a photo of our feet.....we were all curious too.....wondering what would be done with these photos.  This lovely little pendant (with the photo of our feet) was hanging from our individual Brave Girl tote bags.  The other side has our name on it.  Whenever I use my tote bag and see the pendant, I feel JOY.  Seriously.  She did it anyway.....faced that difficult situation, enjoyed that wonderful day, got through the tough day, loved the incredible experiences, survived the difficult ones, cherished happy moments and made it through the sad ones.  She did it anyway.

5.  Hey, have you ever heard of Brave Girls Club???  haha.  The community of women from BGC are uniquely amazing!!!!  If you haven't visited yet, check out ALL of the great stuff that's going on over there!  I promise it will bring happiness and lots of JOY to your life!  Oh, you should also check out the Soul Restoration 6-week online course that is going on over there too!!!!!  It's going to be INCREDIBLE.  

 6.  My day today wasn't exciting.  Normally I'm in a mood to conquer the world.  Today - not so much.  Just kind of blah.  Nothing was wrong, I was just having one of those days.  On my list of things to pick up at Target was a bag of M&M's.  I wasn't planning on picking up the big (resealable) bag, but when it was cheaper than 2 small bags........   So, this evening we opened up the bag.  When Mike handed it back to me, I sat it down on the (edge of) table and this is what happened.  Jaw-dropped, I looked at him and said, "look what you did!  (snickering) uhhhhh.......you didn't close the bag??!!!!"  His eyes were wide eyed and said, "I didn't drop it, you did." "I may have dropped it, but youuuuuuuu didn't seal it back!" We both just started laughing so hard!!!!!!!  As we were picking up the JOYous mess, I had to get my camera to capture this hilarious moment!!!!!  Believe it or not, this little incident made my day.....it was SO worth it!  (that's mike in the background picking up those little pieces of chocolate)  We picked them up off the floor and put them on the table.  Mike said, "what are you going to do with those?"  I just looked at him and smiled. 
......if any of you come over to our house.....don't worry.....we blew all the carpet fibers off with canned air......[laughing SO LOUD]

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Find JOY!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

100 joys.

If you haven't heard about Sarah Markley, you really should check out her blog!!!!  She is SUPER TALENTED and honest and inspirational and beautiful and enlightening and pretty amazing!  I have been following her blog  for quite some time.  Recently, I have been limiting my time online so I can focus on some personal growth, so  my younger sister actually told me about this!!!  Check out the details for yourself by clicking on the box below.



Today, I have found joy in a couple of simple, simple things.

1. Yes, heat.  Last winter about this time we had NO heat.  This winter, we are finding COMPLETE JOY in relaxing in our home without wearing layers and layers and layers of clothes and blankets!!!!  It is such a true blessing and HUMONGOUS JOY to have heat in our home.

 2.  Listening to the sounds of music in our home.  My husband is an excellent musician and I find JOY in listening to him play his acoustic guitar - it's so soothing and relaxing.  Now that the holidays are here, he's playing Christmas music and that makes my heart especially happy.

That's all I have been able to photograph this evening.  I hope you will find inspiration in the 100Joys project, and will join in the fun!!!!  It will teach us to savor every moment this holiday season, to pay attention to the simple things, to be present and enjoy each day, and open our eyes to what is important.

Joy to you all!!!!!
Janet! :)

Monday, November 15, 2010

freedom is calling.

about month or so ago i was on my way home from work on a 1/2 day friday.
i enjoy my drives home because they're usually stress free, peaceful, and full of beauty.
the scenic route is a road worth taking.
try it sometime.

the scenic route is worth taking because it's relaxing.
it gives me time to think.
it also gives me time to listen to music.
music is pretty much my favorite part about the drive home.
it awakens so much in my soul.

on my way home on this particular day, i was listening to Isa & Nina.
the CD i mentioned yesterday is currently my favorite.
song #3, freedom reigns, was playing.
{the word freedom is in my spirit SO STRONG these days}

 part of the song powerfully says -
♫so let the shackles fall
and let the bondage go
let liberty prevail
BRING YOUR FREEDOM, GOD.
freedom reigns in this place
showers of mercy and grace
falling on every face
there is freedom.

...all you have to do is say yes......
LET victory prevail.
HE'S. YOUR. FREEDOM. ♪ ♪

while that song was playing,
i felt something i haven't felt in a REALLY long time.
it was such a gentle, calming, peaceful, sweet, intimate moment. 
i heard the following words,  "seek my face. seek my face. seek my face!!!"

all of that brings me to this point.
i'm speaking of personal experience.
in recent days and weeks and months and years,
i have spent so much time on things that do not matter.
so much time has been spent being useless.

it breaks my heart when i think about how much time i have wasted.
time that has been wasted on -
watching tv
surfing the internet
being glued to facebook
running "errands" that weren't even important
sleeping
being consumed by things on my to-do list
but, being too overwhelmed by things on my to-do list to do anything about it.

i spoke yesterday about being free.
today i'm going to let you know how i'm going to do that.
i'm going to get serious about spending time with God.
the creator of the universe and everything in it.
i'm going to get to know him again.

it means i'm going to have to take a break from the things i've wasted so much time on.
this is a HUMONGOUS challenge for me.

i feel like this is the RIGHT thing for me to do right now.
at this time.
i'm setting some personal rules and goals for myself.
it's going to be SO GREAT for so many different reasons!!!!

if you want to get in touch with me, email or text me.
if you don't have those 2 things, let me know.  :)

.....FREEDOM is calling......

(who knows.....i might be blogging more than before with this challenge....)

HUMONGOUS LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JANET!  :)

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Free

my heart is overwhelmed with goodness and gratefulness and thankfulness.
words can't describe what i've been feeling inside.
i've had the opportunity to be in the company of some amazing, AMAZING people recently.
being in the presence of these amazing souls has been a humbling experience for me.

one particular experience was with a small group of friends.
one of those people i had just met that day.
we started talking about one thing, which led to another, which led to conversations of God.
it was very intimate and eye opening and personal.

during our time together, the "new person", had some specific words.
i'll just call them 'words of wisdom'.
the words we heard were words of freedom in SO MANY ways!!!
after the words were spoken, we listened to a song while we journaled.
after the song was over, we were given the opportunity to share what we journaled about.

i'm not one for easily sharing my heart in front of a group of people.
the only reason for this is because i usually start crying.
if it's something 'deep' and personal, i prefer to cry while i WRITE.
this particular day, i shared my heart....through a few tears.
i was stronger than i thought i was that day.

i read a few thoughts i had written down and then i read
the lyrics to this song we listened to (the first time i've ever heard this song).
it speaks to me in a million ways every time i hear it.
if there was a song that describes my heart,
THIS. IS. THE. SONG.

Free by Isa Couvertier

i'm so tired of living a lie
of picking up the pieces
the pieces of my life
of my life, of my life

im finding out
that i'm the one
who thinks i've got it
figured out
i'm finding out
that i'm running fast
and going nowhere
i'm going nowhere

and i played the fool
i played the mystery
at knowing who i am
at knowing who i am

i played the fool
i played the mystery
at knowing who i am
at knowing who i am

i want to be free

i'm finding out that i'm the one
who thinks i've got it
figured out
i'm finding out
that i'm running fast
and going nowhere
i'm going nowhere.

and i played the fool
i played the mystery
at knowing who i am
at knowing who i am
i played the fool
i played the mystery
at knowing who i am
at knowing who i am

i wanna be FREE
i wanna be ME
i wanna be ALL
ALL THAT I'M MEANT TO BE
i wanna be FREE
i wanna be ME
i wanna be ALL
ALL THAT I'M MEANT TO BE

i wanna RUN
i wanna FLY
to be the one that REACHES HIGH
i wanna RUN
i wanna FLY
to be the one that REACHES HIGH

i wanna be free...

help me be free
help me be me
help me be all that i'm meant to be.

*If you want to download it, you can find it at Amazon.
the song is from - Isa & Nina : Live at First Steps to Success (song #2)

i hope that you'll walk in freedom this week.
BE ALL that you're meant to be!!!!!!!!!

XOXOXOXOXOOoooooooo

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

my brave girl journey. part TWO.

i've tried and tried and tried and tried and tried.
the words aren't flowing.
part of my plan for this post was to go into more details about brave girls.
the words aren't coming.
i've come to the conclusion that you really can't put brave girl camp into words.
it's more of an experience.
we can share and share and share about it, but until you experience it, you can't understand it.
this is the ONLY thing i can come up with.
Brave Girl Camp:  The Experience.   :)

i DO want to share my favorite project from BGC.
okay, okay, so it's the ONLY project that i completed. {sue me.} 
it's my art journal.
it is so meaningful.
the best part about it is that i can write in it, create in it, doodle in it, paint in it, journal in it.
whatever i want to do in it, i can do.


i was asked this question - for you, what does it mean to be brave?
my response was, "for me, being brave means being free!!"
being free from all of the baggage that we have carried around with us our entire lives.
having the freedom to LIVE in the moment.
being free from insecurities that plague us as women.
having the freedom to EMBRACE our individual uniqueness and gorgeousness.
being free from junk that has happened in the past.
having the freedom to WALK in newness. 
being free from those naughty little voices that breathe lies to us.
having the freedom to HEAR truth! 
all of that baggage - get rid of it!!!!
say goodbye to it!!!
be free from it!! 
DON'T pick up that bag again.
  
BE BRAVE.
take it to the nasty, smelly dump and leave it there!!!!

YOU. CAN. DO. IT.

BEING BRAVE means BEING FREE.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

i'm back. my brave girl journey. part ONE.

guess what??!!!!  i'm BAAAAAAACK!!!!!!  sorry i haven't posted in forever.  you better sit down and relax because this is going to be a LONG, HAPPY POST.  (by the way, i hope you'll keep reading even though i'm not using proper punctuation and capitalization today.)  :)
the only  punctuation i'll be using has been provided by my lovely friend, Maria!!!!
why haven't i been blogging?  what have i been doing lately?!  i can't even answer that question b/c i don't have a good answer.  i guess i've just been busy with the day to day fun that life seems to bring.  BUT, the MOST exciting thing i want to talk about is my trip to the ever-so-in-demand, SOLD OUT (waiting list only), and magical Brave Girl Camp that was started by sisters melody ross and kathy wilkins!!!!!
melody and kathy at "practice camp" in 2009.
this whole trip was a dream.  really.  strange as it may seem (or not so strange these days....), i became friends with melody online.  i began reading her blog a few years ago.  i remember thinking about how much alike we were in our way of thinking.  i ALWAYS enjoy someone who can see the blessings and miracles in tough times, and use those stories to help others.  everytime i read a blog post, my heart was overwhelmed.  i would just cry.  well, okay, i'd sob and sob and sob and sob and sob.  she writes with such wisdom, conviction, and openness, and that just spoke to my heart.  i haven't been through all of the trials that she has been through, but i understood what she was saying.  i got it.   i felt like she was a long lost sister.  2009 was the first time we met in person and it was such a wonderful time....a time i will never forget.  months before my trip she had been telling me about a dream that was in her heart.  a dream to start brave girls club and brave girl camp.  while i was visiting, we had the official "practice brave girl camp" to test things out.
this was our art room at practice BGC.....cozy and fun....kathy, camielle, alison, and melody.
October 2010 (one year and a couple of months later), i was attending the one year anniversary of brave girl camp in mccall, idaho.  like i said earlier, brave girls club started with a humongous dream from my beautiful, dear, precious, sweet, soul sister, Melody Ross and her equally as gorgeous, talented, kind, and genuine sister, Kathy Wilkins.  their goal was to start a community for women who want to do BIG things with their lives, who need to overcome difficult obstacles that have been thrown at them, who NEED a safe, kind, loving, environment....no walls, no shame, no egos, no backstabbing, no attitudes, and no "mean girls" allowed.  just a place for you to be YOU.  to find encouragement. to cultivate dreams. to give love.  to learn.  to find yourself again.  to receive love.  to conquer fears.  to be pampered.  to form new lifelong friendships.  to be lovingly accepted.  to be brave.  to get back on that path of finding beauty in yourself again. 
this photo reminds me of that bright pathway.....
 the one year anniversary of brave girl camp!  woooohoooooo.  i was invited to attend as a staff member.  this was a complete honor. as part of the staff, i knew i was going to be working hard, serving, and happily catering to anyone and everyone's needs.  that meant one thing....i wouldn't have time for art projects, or so i was thinking.  that made me happy because i'll be the first to admit that i have to WORK at being artsy.  it doesn't come naturally for me all of the time.  i have to be in a certain frame of mind.  my workspace has to be organized precisely.  the "stars" have to be aligned perfectly for me to create.  i'm laughing as i write this, but it's actually THE truth.
a sneak peek into the art room before our special guests arrived.
as part of the staff, we had work time and free time.  my "free time" allowed me to participate in the first project/lesson for the week.  that had me all freaked out.  i came to terms with it....realizing i couldn't run from it.  after sitting in my cozy spot for a while and staring at my BLANK project and EVERY art supply imaginable, it was too overwhelming.  i escaped away to a quiet place and just wrote in my journal.  THAT was perfect for me....it's what i needed....it was relaxing.....and comforting....and allowed me to gather my thoughts and to embrace the moment.  while i didn't finish the first project, i understood it, and it was so freeing and so enlightening.  {and, i'm not telling what it was because i don't want to ruin it for any future friends that will attend.....if that lesson and project is used again}  believe it or not, that first project opened up ALL of our hearts for the remaining projects for the week........ 
....and, that first project ALSO helped us open up our wings.....


i'm figuring out right now that Brave Girl Camp cannot be crammed into one post....i'll have to post more about it this week.....i don't want to leave out any important details....i want you to understand the beauty of this wonderful community of women!!!!!!


HUMONGOUS LOVE to you ALL!!!!!!
EXPECT miracles this week!!!
xoxoxooooo
JANET!  :)


 

Sunday, September 12, 2010

wow.

Hello friends!
I can't believe it has been SO LONG since I've posted.  I'm really sorry.  I've been a busy girl this summer.   Looking forward to posting about a few things soon.

Today is cleaning day.  If I have energy, I'll post later.

Tomorrow I start the Beth Moore Bible study on Daniel.  I've been looking forward to this for a while, I think it's going to be terrific!!!

I hope you all are enjoying your weekend!
Maybe I'll talk to you guys later.  :)

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

♫ ♫ When summer comes around ♪ ♪

I can't help it.  I HAD to share this post with you all!  I posted this on my photo blog tonight, and wanted to share it with you too!  It's just SO summery!!!!!  :)

 Don't you love that Keith Urban song?!
It's SUCH a snapshot of summer!

When I look at these photos, they remind me of.....
...summer...and vacation...and cold fruity drinks....
...and swimsuits...and the beach...and pony tails...
...and sleeping in...and flip flops...and feeling free...
...and no plans...and swimtrunks...
...and fresh air...and cherry limeades...
...and evening drives with the all the windows down...
...and messy hair...and being alive.

What's YOUR idea of summer?

Friday, July 16, 2010

*****Beautiful Things winners****

I wish more of my blog readers would have entered this one!  This CD is AMAZING!  Maybe I'll do another giveaway in the fall when people aren't on vacation.

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2 winners!!!!!! 

Sarah Jones and Laurel, please email me your addresses so we can get these in the mail to you!!!!
I'm trusting you will enjoy Gungor's music!!  They're fabulous!  You will NOT be disappointed!  :)

Sunday, July 11, 2010

****Beautiful Things giveaway****

Hello beautiful blog friends!!!!!

I am so sorry I had to put this contest off for a few days.  I had a family member in the hospital and they were released today!!! YAAAAY!!!!  So, hopefully life will be back to normal this week!

Now for the contest.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  The simplest things can be the most beautiful.  I think every single one of my blog friends are beautiful....THUS, the Beautiful Things giveaway!!!!  To enter the Beautiful Things giveaway, leave a comment and tell me.......What do YOU think is beautiful?  or What makes you smile?

The winner will receive the BRAND SPANKIN' NEW Gungor: Beautiful Things cd.  I have never heard of Gungor until about a month ago when my sister let me borrow her cd.  It is AMAZING.  I like it because it's refreshingly different and uplifting!  It's not like every other song you hear on the radio.  I hope you will love it as much as I do!!


Leave a comment by 11:59pm on Thursday, July 15th.  I will announce the winner on Friday, July 16th.  (Will you do me a favor and tell your friends too???  Post the link for this contest on your blog and facebook pages.  wink, wink - I might be able to give more than just 1 cd away......)

Let the fun begin!!!!!!

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL week!!!!!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Contest!!!

is on hold for the day.  A family member has landed unexpectedly in the hospital and I won't be able to post details later.  I will post them on Friday!   So sorry!!!! 

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Giveaway!!!!

I am SOOOO excited about something!!!!  

I am having my 
very FIRST 
contest/giveaway 
on my blog!!!!! 

Stay tuned.
Tomorrow evening I'll give the details...... 

:)

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Renovations.

It seems there normally comes a time in life when you just get fed up with things.  You have a light bulb go off that makes you realize you're not the person that you used to be.  You may have had it ALL together at one time, but little by little, so subtly, that started to fade.  Before you knew it, you've let things or people inside your, once beautiful, home.  They've come in and trashed it and now it's just a cold, nasty, old, trashed out house.  This happened without you even realizing it.

It's time to RENOVATE!  Get rid of the nastiness, the dirt, the junk and the grime that has consumed your house!  Make it your HOME again!!!

The first step is closing that front door.


Then, it's time to change the locks on those doors, change those grimy handles, replace that worn out frame.  Let everyone know that your home is going to be a safe place, a place of refuge.


This is the most difficult part:  you have to hang up that CLOSED sign.  Turn off the lights.  Don't worry, it's just temporary.  It's time to work on YOU.  Get your self-esteem back, your value back, rekindle your most precious relationships, and get that gorgeous smile back on that beautiful face!!!!!  Read some inspirational books, do a study, read your Bible (Proverbs is a GREAT book with SO MUCH wisdom!).  Dig deep.


Keep that sign on that front door.  If anyone knocks, it's okay to check to see who it is.  Only let in those people who are safe; those people who are going to encourage you, inspire you, cheer you on, stand up for you, love you, and those who will not steal your dreams.

You shouldn't feel guilt for keeping that sign on the door as long as needed .  It's YOUR house.  YOU have the key.   YOU have control over who you let in.  YOU decide how quickly or slowly the renovations take place.

When the time is right, all of the renovations will be complete.  You'll KNOW when it's time to gently open that door again.  Everyone will be able to see that light in your eyes again.  They will be able to see that new beauty radiating.  The view inside that front door will be breathtaking.  You'll be able to share your renovation story with everyone who knocks on your front door.  Pour them a glass of lemonade, sit out on that front porch and share that story.


It's your newly renovated property.  YOU decide who comes in, and YOU decide who stays on that front porch.

Enjoy life again!!!!!!
XOXOXOOOOO

Sunday, June 6, 2010

You Have Me

As I was driving home from work the other day, I had a new CD playing.  My sister let me borrow it.  Gungor, Beautiful Things.  It's different and I LOVE that.  I'm a fan of being unique and different, and I think that's why I love this CD so much! 

Anyway, song 5, You Have Me, was playing.  My heart was so full and so overwhelmed with joy.  Listening to the beautiful music and lyrics to this song, teary eyed, thankful that God is ALWAYS there, ALWAYS faithful, ALWAYS good, no matter what circumstances look like.


 As I was driving along, I looked up.  {Do you realize how many times we probably miss blessings in our lives because we don't look up?!}  Well, I looked up and saw three birds flying around in the air in one spot.  It was different, though.  When I saw them, I felt like they were performing a song just for me.  They were there for me to see.  Nobody else.  The song that was playing, along with the way the birds were slowly dancing, slowly swaying, slowly gliding, slowly intertwining with each other....it was magical.  I don't know another word to describe it.  It was one of those moments in life that I can say I was TRULY CAPTIVATED.

              (While out and about in Destin, FL, on our recent vacation, I looked up and spotted these lovlies!)

It was beautiful.  My heart is happy and I can still see those birds putting on a show for me while listening to this song.......

You Have Me
out on the farthest edge
there in the silence
you were there

My faith was torn to shreds
heart in the balance
but you were there

always faithful
always good
you have still have my
you still have my heart

I thought I had seen the end
everything broken
but you were there

I've wandered heaven's gates
I've made my bed in hell
You were there still

You have me
You have my heart completely

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THAT'S gonna leave a mark!!!

So, we were treated out to dinner Saturday night.  To a nice restaurant on the lake.  Reservations were made, requesting a prime spot on the patio since it was such a beautiful evening.  We were looking forward to it since we had never been there before. 

The place was PACKED!!!  Even though our name was on the list, we still had to get a little buzzer.  Not knowing how long our wait was going to be, the 6 of us decided to have a seat just past the patio.  That meant walking through the jam packed patio!  Jam packed, meaning, there were probably 20 tables with at least 5-6 people at each table.

Enter the 6 of us.  2 of the girls in front of me, 3 of the guys behind me (my husband at the very back of the line).

The patio was the shiny concrete = SLICK.  I'm sure you can figure out where this is going.

My feet started wobbling (and as I'm telling this, imagine the sound you hear when The Flinstones start driving their cars) and I think I'm going to lose it.  Somehow, I played the wobbling off, thinking I was safe for a mere second.  Nope, make that MILLI-second.  I had my new camera bag on my arm with my new-ish camera in the bag....keeping that in my conscious mind....if I drop it, it SHOULD be safe, but I'd rather not test it out.
                                                        
         (By the way, aren't these sandals so cute?! and so spring-y!!!)

Well......it went a little something like this........... 
wobble wobble wobble! oh no! grasp for that empty chair! push it into the empty table for 2! wobble wobble!  oh well, that chair didn't help much, it's laying on its side now!  OH SCHNIKEEeeeeeeS!!! EVERYBODY sees me!! don't fall!  don't fall!  please don't let me fall!  please don't let me fall!  skid.  skid.  skid.  watch out for that stone column RIGHT in front of me!!!!  women getting up out of their chairs, running over to try to block the column because they see what's coming!  gasps from the crowd!!  which way do I go?!  which way do I go?!  don't drop your bag!  your camera is in there!!!  don't drop your bag!!   BAM!  OUUUUUCCCCCCCHHHHHHH!!!!!  THAT'S GONNA LEAVE A MARK!!!!   EVERYONE was silent!!  Everyone!!!!

The ladies started asking questions.  "Are you okay, honey?!"  "Are you hurt?!!"  "Ohhhhhhhh, sweetie, what can I do????"    


Laughter starts rolling out of me.  Embarrassed.  Trying to play this off, which literally CANNOT be played off.  Everyone saw it.  PRAYING there was NOBODY I knew sitting on that patio!!!!  I stood up, tried gathering my composure.....what was left.......through my laughter.  "I'm fine.  I'm okay, thank you."

We made it to our table (on ANOTHER patio on the other side of the restaurant, thank goodness) and were chatting about the happenings.  One of the guys with our party, walking directly behind me, said he saw it coming, but since he was behind me, the only thing he could think of to do was to grab my rear, and, well, that wouldn't have helped.  haha  My husband was at the very back of the line......he didn't even know I was the one who fell, until I stood up.  He told me I should have stood up, straightened up my shirt, and said, "I was supposed to do that."  So funny!!  More good news - the guys behind me said I didn't drop my Epiphanie camera bag!!!   HAHAHA.  I didn't drop my bag....it was safe and cozy!  HOW in the world is that even possible??!!!   

I was thinking about it, and I'm a jokester.  A SERIOUS jokester.  I laugh at just about anything.  I think it's hysterical when people fall......that obviously includes when it happens to myself.  If I saw myself fall on that patio, I would have laughed.  THANK YOU to the people on the patio for NOT laughing at me and for offering as much help as you could.  Good news - I did NOT hit my face on the column, thank you God!!!!
I've never had anything embarrassing happen to me, ever.  Really.  THIS, my friends, was THE most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me.  EVER.  And, I'm here to say, that I laughed through it!  That's the ONLY thing that kept me from crying.  What isn't funny is my swollen knee. The picture does not do the damage justice.....and I didn't feel like getting "that perfect shot" to prove it.  :)



I hope this made you laugh....it made me laugh again, recalling everything.  This really happened.  And my knee is REALLY REALLY sore!!!  So are my back and shoulders....probably from showing off my push-up sorta moves.....

I hope everyone else had an accident free Saturday night. 
xoxoxooo

Monday, April 5, 2010

Toss it in!!!!

I posted this on my photo blog today and thought I'd share it here, also! 
It was not my intention for this to be my picture of the day, but I feel like it needs to be. I'm listening to that small voice inside.

Do you have junk in your life that is keeping you down in the dumps? What about a bad habit that you want to kick? Maybe it's a light-as-a-feather bit of anger that keeps getting heavier? That tiny insecurity that keeps growing by the second? Maybe it's a slight bit of jealousy? What about that worry that is consuming your every thought?

Whatever it is, dump it in the bucket. Get rid of it. Toss it in there and give it to the One who is in control. You may not always feel His presence. You may not think He hears your faintest whisper. You may not realize he is catching each and every tear.

Understand one thing, my sweet, wonderful, beautiful, caring, honest, hilarious, artistic friends. No matter what you have done or where you have been..........He, the Master of the entire Universe, is not mad at you, He's mad ABOUT YOU!!!!!

XOXOXXOOoooooo
I'm trusting you are going to have a fabUlous week!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Strong foundation!

We went out exploring today, on this Easter Sunday.  It was a beautiful, beautiful day.  We passed by a church with this in the front yard and I had to get a picture.  As I was resizing and doing a little editing, a few things were brought to mind.
As Christ Followers, we should keep some things in mind on a daily basis. 

 Each experience in our lives are stepping stones.
We should be diligent in climbing up to the next step to be closer to Him.
Remember that He is the vine, we are the branches (if we're from the same tree, others should see Him in us).
Our foundations should be strong and be built on the rock.
We are supposed to carry His light to the world, for HE IS RISEN!!!!!


I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend and spent some time reflecting on what this weekend is really about.
XOXOXOXOXOOOOO

Janet!  :)

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Epiphanie!!!!!!

Hello friends!!!!   I am so excited - I have to tell you all something.  
See this bag???????  Well, it's not just ANY bag!  This is my EPIPHANIE camera bag!!!!  Isn't it awesome?!!  It's MORE awesome in person, I promise!  I love it!!!!!

I am entering a contest!  The grand prize is a brand spanking new Canon 5D MarkII or 2500.00 in a Southwest Airline Gift Certificate!  I want to win the GRAND prize so bad!!!  My sisters and I would love to start a photography business and this would be the perfect way to start it off.  You can see some of my other photos HERE.

In the meantime........................

Yep, I had an Epiphanie!!!!!  Don't you wish Epiphanie bags grew on trees??????  MEEEE toooooo!!!!  Don't you wish Canon 5D Mark II cameras grew on trees??????   MEEEEEE TOOOOOOOO, but they don't.  :(  That's why I'm entering this contest......so I can win one!  I don't think I've ever won anything except for 100.00 last year playing Powerball.

Friday, March 19, 2010

She's Country.

♫ ♪ ♫ Country.
From her cowboy boots to her down home roots.
She's country.
From the songs she plays to the prayers she prays. 
That's the way she was born and raised.
She ain't afraid to stay, country.  ♫ ♪ ♪
(She's Country by Jason Aldean)



This is the post I put on my 365 photo blog and HAD to put it here.  Can't help it.  I LOVE it!!!!!  :)

I will be the FIRST to say that I NEVER used to like country music.  I hated it, actually.  It made me cringe.  Living in the south gives you an appreciation for it, somehow.  I NEVER thought I would ever say something like that, ever. 

Country music is something I love.  It's the music of the South.  It makes me:  feel at home, want to put my boots on, want to take a long deep breath of fresh country air, want to walk through an open field, want to go down to a farm and work really really hard, want to ride a plow through a humongous field and get all dusty and dirty, happy to have the freedom to be MYSELF.  

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Salty.

This was my photo of the day on my 365 blog and I liked it so much, I'm posting it here.  I'm just crazy like that!
I was trying to find something to take a photo of tonight.  I was looking through the kitchen and saw the salt - PERFECT!  As Christ followers, we are supposed to be the salt of the earth.  {Salt makes people thirsty} Are you living your life so that others are thirsty for what YOU have?

 Yeah, yeah, they're the same picture, but I couldn't decide if I liked texture or no texture the best.  Again, I'm just crazy like that. 
 I hope everyone is having a wonderful week.
BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!!!!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Words of wisdom.

Well, at least that's what I like to call them.

Monday night I went to bed and felt like I was asleep forever, but woke up 30 minutes later.  Doesn't that drive you crazy when that happens?  What drives me even more crazy is the fact that I could not fall back asleep.  I was fidgety and squirmy.....so much so that I woke up my prince sleeping next to me.  I decided to get a drink of water, hop back in bed and play a game of Tetris (I'm known in my family as the Tetris QUEEN - 249 lines is my high score!).  1 1/2 hours and a few games later, I was finally tired enough to fall asleep.

During my Tetris time, I was saying extra prayers, asking for extra guidance and wisdom for me and Mike, praying about our future....you know, the magnified kind of stuff that you think of when you can't sleep.  All of the sudden, some words popped into my mind.  Once, twice, three times, four, five, six, seven, eight.......I lost count.  I couldn't keep up with the amount of times this ran through my head.

PROTECT YOUR DREAMS.


Like an umbrella protects us from the rain, we should be protecting our dreams.  We should be keeping them safe from the elements that sprinkle on us each day.  It is so important to protect those dreams inside of us.

I was talking to a close friend the other day and I confided in this person that they were the ONLY person I was telling because I basically wanted to keep it "safe" right now.  They agreed that they were doing the same thing with what they were telling me because there are so many people that would enjoy seeing these dreams shattered.

Then I got to thinking.  There are so many people in this life that do not want to see you do better than them.  They want to keep you down.  They want you to doubt yourself.  They want you to think your dreams are insane.  They want you to fear the future.  They want you to stay in that rut.  They don't want to see you truly happy.  They want you to think your dreams aren't possible.  They want you to be insecure.  They want you to think that your dreams are TOO far out of reach.  They're "just being realistic".  They try to destroy that dream that is inside of you.  To these type of people, it would be pure joy if your dreams crumbled around your feet.

Those are the kind of people you need to protect your dreams from.  It's hard sometimes, though.  You just get SO EXCITED about the future and about dreams that are right on your fingertips and you want to shout it to the world!!!  From personal experience, I know this all too well.

I have learned some things about dreams.  Write your dreams down.  Put them on a vision board.  Share your dreams with one or two people who you consider to be a positive influence in your life. Someone who is going to cheer you on.  Someone who is going to tell you - keep going.  Someone who is going to tell you - you can do it!  Someone who is going to tell you - believe in miracles.  Someone who is going to support your dreams no matter how crazy and insane they may seem!!!  Someone who will help you cultivate those dreams.  Someone who will keep your dreams protected.  Someone who believes in your dreams more than you do.  You know who those people are in your life.....they are valuable and priceless! 
                                                     
GUARD YOUR HEART.


It's SO important to guard your heart also.  We should guard our hearts more than we protect our dreams.  Give and receive love into those hearts.  Be selective with what and WHO you let into your heart.  Keep bitterness OUT of those beautiful hearts.  Keep envy out of those hearts.  Keep jealousy out of those hearts.  Keep anger out of those hearts.  Keep judgment out of those hearts.  There are so many unbelievable truths packed into Proverbs 2 and 4!  Proverbs 4: 23 says - "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life."  Did you read that?!!  It says to guard your heart "above ALL that you guard"!!!!  Our hearts are fragile and precious and so beautiful.

The phenomenal part to this story is this - I subscribe to Brave Girls Club daily truths.  Tuesday evening after I made the props for this blog, and before I went to bed, I checked my emails, and this beautiful truth was waiting for me in my inbox!!!  I couldn't stop crying.  It was a confirmation to me.  It could not have come at a more perfect time!  That daily truth was meant for me Tuesday!!!!!!  

I just want to encourage you to protect your dreams and guard your hearts.  You have one heart and bunches of dreams - do everything you can to protect them.  When the right time comes along, you will know in your heart that you can share them with the world!!!!!!  Dream HUMONGOUS dreams!  Believe in miracles!!!!  You. CAN. do. it.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Simply inspired.

A few nights ago Mike and I went out to pick up some household supplies.  While we were out, I ran across these.

Of course, if you know me, you know I am obsessed with the color green!!!!!  Anything green, any shade of it, more than likely, I will love it!!!  I wanted the green coffee mug because of the obvious - the color.  But, I LOVED what the yellow one said!  I was torn on which one to get, so I got both of them.  They were on clearance too, so I really couldn't pass them up!!

I've been doing a photo challenge.  Taking one photo a day.  Reading one page in my camera manual a day.  And visiting professional photography sites each day.  The challenge is to improve my photography skills by 300% in one year.  I even started a photography blog for this very reason.  When I got the coffee mugs home, the photo shoot began.  I was so excited about it.  These mugs were beautiful and so photogenic.  :)  I was happy with most of the photos I took, such as this one.


 I was happy with the boxed photos until I opened up the box!!!  I was so excited!  Yes, they're coffee mugs and I had a photo shoot with them.  I've never even been a coffee drinker until a few weeks ago.  We were trying some new coffee in the office and I had to taste it - Chocolate Donut Coffee!  It was pretty tasty, but I'm NOW addicted to Caribou Columbian coffee.  Made fresh from the Keurig coffee machine.

Back to the story.  So, I opened up the boxes, and my heart skipped a beat and it also smiled.  There was a surprise.


First, in the rim of the B mug, it said "I believe in miracles"!!  Anyone who knows me also knows that this has been kind of my theme in life.  I make cards and invitations in my spare time, and "believe in miracles" is the quote that I put on the back of EVERY. SINGLE. CARD.  It's been my trademark, I guess you could say.  So, when I opened up that box and saw that in the rim of the mug, I was beside myself. 
The "L" mug surprised me with "It's a wonderful life!"  My favorite Christmas movie of all time.  And, it had an exclamation point at the end of the saying!!!!  Once again, anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE using exclamation points!!!!  NOT because I'm yelling, but because I'm sharing my excitement!  {If you ever get an email from me and I'm using a thousand exclamation points, I'm not mad, I'm just EXCITED!!!!}

As an added bonus, the boxes were wrapped with chocolate brown ribbon that said "simply inspired".  I thought it was cool because I ALWAYS welcome being inspired.  I love being around inspiring people, sharing inspirational thoughts, and reading inspirational blogs and books.....I don't think anyone can have too many inspiring people in their life!!!!!  Inspiration ROCKS and so does this ribbon......

 I was trying to be creative using the ribbon.  I wrapped it around our photo just for something different.  As I'm sitting here writing this blog, something just hit me!!!!  I want simplicity, inspiration and God to fill our cups to overflowing!  To pour over us so we can share and bless others!!!! 

I like this picture because the dark ribbon reminds me of a cup of dark coffee (even though I prefer lots of cream) or a cup of hot chocolate.  :)

I just wanted to share this with you.  I want you to be inspired.  I want you to remember that you can be tied up with a bow of inspiration.  You can stay stuck in your box with your pretty bow.  Imagine how many people need that inspiration and surprise that is INSIDE that pretty little box!!!  The only way to share that beauty and surprise inside that box is to open it up and share it with the world!

Has anyone told you that what is inside you is beautiful and inspiring?  Listen to them. They're telling the truth! 

Inspiration, you are welcome in my life!!!!!
xoxoxxoooooo