Happy New Year!

Welcome 2015!

Whether you are going to a party tonight or attending a church service or even if you are spending this holiday alone...  I wish you a Blessed and Happy New Year!

Brrr...

It's cold outside!

I was at the movie theater watching Into The Woods and got to watch a new rendition of a Winter Favorite:  Baby It's Cold Outside...  The movie was surprising because I was not expecting a musical.  I'm a movie fanatic.  I love watching movies especially in the dream lounger chairs.  However I will admit that I have fallen asleep in those very comfortable chairs.  ZZZzzzz...

Can you believe it's almost 2015!?!

Mondays

Can you believe that it's the last Monday of 2014?

I stayed up late last night watching a marathon of Left Behind movies.  These movies were inspired by the books written by Tim LaHaye.  Years ago, when Tim LaHaye was in town I went to his seminar on the Revelations prophecies.  There was a lot of interesting points made.  

Weekends

Rest & Relaxation

I met up with friends to see the movie Exodus and was disappointed because it was so NOT by "The Book," if you get my drift.  The original account of Moses was very different as written in the Biblical version of Exodus.

I did get to listen to an interesting message by Nick Vujicic today.  Most of us don't realize the many blessings that we have.  Things that you don't even think about like having arms and legs.  

Christmas Orphan

A Merry Mingle Day

Growing up my family always went to the movies during the holidays so since most of my family live out of town or were going out of town I found myself as a Christmas Orphan.  A friend of mine and I decided to go see a movie but then another friend of ours told us about a mingle going on so we met some new friends. 

Where would we be in life without our friends?  I know I am very blessed to have as many friends as I do.  And I like the variety in my friendships because each friend brings out a different facet of my personality:  Some make you act silly, some you have serious talks with, some you go to movies with, and some you like to just spend time with.  

Merry Christmas as you spend time with your loved ones!  

Rainy Christmas Eve

Have you ever heard of the song...

Raindrops are falling on my head?  Perfect song for today.  I was out in it earlier running errands and attending Christmas Eve service with various friends.  Now I'm heading out to another one. Traffic was crazy as everybody was running around buying last minute gifts.

Remember the song from the Carpenters:  Rainy Days and Mondays...  Although it's not Monday today.  I think rainy days are perfect to curl up around a book and drink a cup of hot tea or cocoa.

Enjoy your rainy Christmas Eve! 

Hibernation

Who hibernates?

What is the most favorite thing you can think of on a cold morning?  Staying snuggled in your blankets.  I don't know about you but I find it harder to wake up on a cold morning than a warm one.  I just want to stay curled up.  Thank goodness that so far except for that one surprisingly heavy snowfall, this winter has been somewhat mild.  And it's how many days till Christmas?  The countdown is...

Chanukkah

Mmm...

I went to my first Chanukkah party last night and tasted my first potato latkes.  Very yummy!  In fact, I think I'm going to try making some sometime.  I went with some friends and learned about how Hanukkah came to be.  Hanukkah is different from the Christmas holiday that we celebrate.  

What's between breakfast and lunch?

Amish Brunch!

Have you ever checked out Der Dutchman's homepage?

Talk about yum!  Especially their donuts!  I love their cinnamon rolls with chocolate icing.  I like going to Der Dutchman as a special treat.  Breakfast is my favorite meal because I like eggs so much.  Brunch ends at 11am so you have to make sure you get there on time if you want breakfast food.  They also offer a breakfast bar that stays open till 11:30am.

If you've never been to one, it's similar to the Cracker Barrel.  They both feature good old farm fixin's.  Attached to the restaurant is a huge bakery and store that features the quaint and quirky.  It's a neat place to walk around and check out delicious food and eclectic merchandise when you're hanging out with friends.  Plus you get to try some free samples!

Bon Appetit!

A Merry Visit

We wish you a...

 

Last Ounce of Courage

Thought Provoking Movies

Ever watch a movie that provoked your thoughts?  I have been going through a crazy period lately:  Doing this, that, and the other.  However I did catch a good movie tonight called Last Ounce of Courage.  It made me think of why I became an American.  Our world is changing so much that is being an American now the same as it was years ago?  Or are we letting our freedoms go by the wayside?  How many people even care?  Do you?

What would it be like to fall asleep in a movie?

Dream Loungers

Do you know what these are?  These are big comfy chairs that you can sit in when you watch movies.  I went with a friend to see Son of God.  Marcus Cinemas and Dublin AMC have these chairs.  I'm sure other theaters have them as well but these are the only two theaters I've been to that have them.

It's ironic that these theaters came out with these chairs because not too long before these chairs showed up, I distinctly remember talking to someone about how neat it would be to watch a movie from a chair like that.

Stationary Art

Isn't it funny how you can...

spend a whole day doing something you love and not get bored but you do something you think is just satisfactory or don't like at all and the time just seems to drag?

It's funny about life!  The older you get the faster time goes by.  Speeds by more like.

I've always found that when you spend the day outside the day goes slower but inside a building it goes faster.  I'm not sure if it's about being out of doors but spending an hour outside goes slower than an hour inside.  It's odd how that happens.

This day went by so fast.  The good, the bad, and the ugly!

My condolences go out to the families of the Malaysia flight.  I still find that whole thing as odd.  How does a whole plane disappear and no one not know how and why?  I don't know.  There are so many puzzling things going on in our world today. 

Do you like to write letters?

Pen Pal Central

Nowadays with all the technology out there, snail mail is slowly becoming a dying art, don't you think?  I watched a movie once called The Letter Writer.  It's about a guy that writes letters and notes of encouragement to random strangers.  His reasoning is that he spent his early years getting all mad and bitter and realized the power that words have on people.  At some point he made the decision to use words to uplift and encourage.  I enjoyed this movie and as all good movies do, this one made me cry because...  well if you see the movie you will know why!

Winter has just begun and yet I am already looking forward to spring especially looking forward to green grass, sunny days, and blue skies.

Happy Days

Ay!

Remember the Fonz?  Don't ask me why but at rare moments I find myself humming the tune from Happy Days.  Also Laverne & Shirley?  Those were simpler times before 9/11.  The sad thing is that we can't ever go back.  For those of you who have no idea who the Fonz is, just think of Joey Tribiani from Friends.  If you have never heard of Friends then I can't help you.

Peanuts

Good Grief!

I was listening to the radio yesterday and learned some things about Charles Schulz that I did not know.  Remember poor Charlie Brown who never gets to hit that football or go out with the red-haired girl?  I grew up with Charlie Brown and his gang.  I have watched a number of their specials over the years.  I especially like Snoopy and Woodstock.

Do you like to read?

Two unique bookstores...

Have you ever been to a bookstore that you just love browsing in?  There are two that come to mind:  The Village Bookshop and the Book Loft in German Village.  Both are unique bookstores.

The Village Bookshop is located in a church and has so many different types of books to look through.  If you ever have a rainy day to just browse, then this bookstore is great for just that, especially in their seating area.

The Book Loft in German Village is another great bookstore.  You walk though room after room of books beyond imagine.  Great bookstore to check out.  Plus it's in historical German Village and you can sightsee the surrounding area.   

Strange Addictions

Have you ever watched that show?

Some people have strange addictions.  I interviewed a woman once that ate paper.  It's know as a pica disorder. However as disorders go, eating paper is a lot more harmless than eating rubber tires or drinking urine.  At least in my book it is.

Sometimes I find myself addicted to White Castle sliders.  I will get a couple of sliders here and there.  They are so good!  Yum!!!

Donate free rice today!

Do you want to do your part to help end world hunger?  

Freerice.com gives you questions on various topics and each time you get an answer right, it will donate so many grains of rice to the World Hunger Programme.  This is a great way to exercise your brain as well as donate grains of rice.

By the way, it's getting cold again so here's a nice roaring fire to warm you up.  Unfortunately winter has only begun.  It's not bad but it could be better.  I know I'm looking forward to warmer temps.  Brrr...

December...

is here!

As Mondays go, this is a typical Monday.  Nothing goes right and everything happens at once.  Weekends lull you into thinking that things are in control and then Monday shows up and you realize that you are in a hurry to get everything done.  Especially on a Monday after Thanksgiving holiday.

Do you notice how in life nothing ever goes as planned?  And things take longer than you expected?  Well, hang in there.  This is only the 1st of December but you might want to look at your New Year's Resolutions for 2014 and see how far you've come because in that case you are running late:  Like Christmas cards.  Each year I tell myself that I will send them out earlier only to send them out later.  We will see...  

Ogio

Are you a workout fiend?

I used to be in my younger days before I ended up with injuries.  However if you are looking for a great gym bag then get an Ogio bag.  These are the ultimate in locker bags and they fit so conveniently into a locker.  Buy one and try it.  I discovered these years ago.

Overstuffed

Turkey Memoirs

Hope you all enjoyed a great Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones.  I had a progressive Thanksgiving week, you might say...  at least in terms of food... 

I had three turkey dinners: 

One a formal Thanksgiving feast, I even helped make a sweet potato casserole.  Very yummy! 

Another at Bob Evans.  The child portion was more than enough.  Who knew I was such a kid? 

And lastly a Thanksgiving potluck.  I was planning to bring green beans but since I was at work, a friend kindly made a dish in lieu of.  That's what friends are for... 

Dale Chihuly

What artwork!

What's a bingle?

A boisterous mingle...

This only makes sense if you are on the meetup site and are a part of a certain meetup group.  Tanialocks knows what I'm talking about.

I thought that today began as a Winnie the Pooh kind of day until it turned into Kansas from Oz.  Know what I mean?  High wind velocity.  It's amazing how sometimes you can experience all four seasons in one day.  And then brrr...  the weather gets colder yet again...

This is the perfect time to have some honey tea.  Just boil hot water and put some honey in it.  Plus honey is good for you.  Bee a honey today!

7 Deadly Sins

Greed

Remember Ebenezer Scrooge?  He's stingy, a miser, a skinflint!  So many synonyms for someone who is so greedy.

I was listening to a story on the radio one day about a banker who loved money.  He loved money so much that he had no time for family or friends.  Well, one holiday weekend he got locked up in the vault with all that money that he loved so much.  He realized something very quickly.  That all the money in the world wouldn't help him that weekend.  Since he had no family or friends to miss him, no one knew he was locked up until the weekend was over.  He went in a Scrooge but came out a changed man.

I know people that have no debt and money saved up but they wouldn't lift a finger to help someone in need.  They just hate the idea of spending money!  Then there are people I know that have no money to spare and yet they still give you their money.  It's ironic that the ones that have the most are the ones that give the least and the ones that have the least are the ones that give the most.  Of course, this is not always true because some very wealthy people give and some very poor people don't.  But you do figure out what a person's priorities are.

What are your true intentions?  If you give expecting something in return, does that make you feel better?

I heard a joke one time about a rich man that wanted to bring his riches with him when he died and went to heaven.  He asked Saint Peter if he could bring in one bag.  Saint Peter said yes.  So when the rich man died he had a bag with him at the pearly gates.  Out of curiosity, Saint Peter asked to look in the bag, then motioned to another, "Get this, he's bringing pavement into heaven."  As in heaven. "where the streets are lined with gold."

Remember the person with the most money when he dies does not win!

Portlandia

Are you from Portland, Oregon?

There is a cable TV series called Portlandia.  It is a satirical look at life in Portland, Oregon.  I have spoken to people that have been to Portland and they agree that this series is very true to the area. So why not visit Portland?  I have watched some episodes and the two main characters, Fred and Carrie, portray different aspects of life as it's lived in Portland, Oregon.  They have an offbeat oddball sense of humor.

Creative Genius

How artsy are you?

Have you ever come across someone that is so creative?  Then meet a creative genius!  She custom designs everything you might need for a wedding or event party.  I have personally attended a couple of her events and they are very professionally and creatively done.  You'd think you walked into a Hollywood gathering of sorts.  So whether you need invitations or announcements, etc., then contact this kind of artist to design your masterpiece.

Also if you are into scrapbooking, then check out this scrapbooking shop.  They carry pretty much anything you might need where paper art is concerned.  I personally enjoy scrapbooking a lot and have recently finished two wedding albums.  Yeah!

The Coolest Cooler

So what's the bright idea?

Have you ever wanted a cooler that could do just about anything?  Well, this cooler does a lot and Ryan Grepper from Portland, Oregon came up with this ingenious product idea.  He used Kickstarter for crowdfunding and raised over $13 billion.  He is one of the inventors that is represented by Trident Design, LLC.  Do you need help funding your invention?  Then contact Trident Design!

Remember the guy with the potato salad?  He raised over $50,000.

Outer Space

Are you a space cadet or just plain spacey?  

Did you know that a new earth has been discovered?  In the constellation Draco.  What would it be like to travel in outer space and fly among the stars?  NASA is always making new discoveries and it's always interesting to hear the latest space news.  I used to work at the Lewis Research Center years ago.  It's a great place to work.  I enjoyed meeting all the engineers and scientists there:  Lots of brain power.

Shiver me timbers!

Brrr...  

Oh my!  Right?  Like what happened?  Overnight we get covered in a winter wonderland.  One day it's fall then next it's winter.  Brrr...  Talk about walking icicles which is what we will become this winter.  I don't know how the Eskimos do it.  Stay warm!  It may be a long cold winter...

Go You Chicken Fat Go!

Remember being in grade school?

If you remember this song then you know about how old I am.  I remember having to sing this song and doing these exercises.  Did you know that this song originated as an initiative from President Kennedy?  I also also remember singing John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt?

California Baby!

Are you dreaming California?

If you have allergies and are looking for a good line of soap and shampoo products, then check out California Baby!  This line was recommended to me by my doctor.  You never know what you are allergic to unfortunately.  Everything you love may harm you!

Music

Flat? C Sharp!

What would we do without it?  I've been listening to a little bit of Christmas, a tiny bite of classical, and now a song from Enya.  Could you imagine how flat our world would be without music?  Granted not everyone has the same tastes in music but that is why there are so many genres around.  I remember browsing in a bookstore the first time I listened to Enya.  I got her Shepherd Moons cd.  I also love Giovanni Marradi.  His music is so cathartic.  He brings your emotions to the surface.

Onions...

Do you like them?

It's funny!  Growing up, my Mom used to drench raw onions in soy sauce and I used to eat them here and there.  However now that I'm grown up, I only eat caramelized onions if at all.  I love green onions and scallions though.  Aren't they one and the same?  At any rate onions are a definite must in stew.  Especially  beef curry stew.  You have to try it!

Poolside...

Guess what I miss?

Deadlines...

Don't you love them?

Sometimes in life you have to make difficult choices and decisions that affect not just your life but others as well. What do you do with decisions like these?  A thought to ponder...

Having said that!  TGIF!  Enjoy your weekend!

Affective Cultural Competence

What is it?

Do you know what perception is?  Everyone has a different perception of what is disgusting to them.  Some people are easily disgusted by homeless people, unclean people, etc.  Know what I mean?  There are workshops available to help you understand why and how you react to certain types of people. 

Learning...

is powerful!

And knowledge is power!  So they say...  I remember when I was in grade school, then high school, then college that one day I would no longer have homework; but oddly enough I missed not learning something new.  It's true!  If you don't use it, you lose it!  That includes your brain.  So I went back to school.  There are times that I wish I knew then what I know now.  I would have made so many changes in my life.  However don't ever let not doing something then, stop you from doing something now.  Time goes on and you can't get that back but you can make a change today and keep making changes tomorrow.  Carpe diem!  

A favorite drink...

Aw shucks!

Do you know how I like Bundaberg Ginger Beer?  Well, I like their Peachee drink even more and I have been checking out different World Markets for some only to find out recently that that is a seasonal flavor.  Which is why they don't carry them right now!  That explains why I couldn't find it on the shelf.  :( 

Fall Back

Daylight Savings

It's that time again!  We set our clocks back an extra hour because it's time to "fall back."  Which actually means that we gain an hour.  Of sleep!  Zzzzzzz...  or activity?  If you are so inclined.

I was listening to a message by Dr. Charles Stanley on kindness.  Are you a kind person?  Kindness is a quality that is timeless and will always be appreciated by others.

Social Media

Networking 101

There was a time when looking for a job meant you had to "know something."  Then it was all about "knowing someone."  Now it's all about how many followers and likes you have.  Social media has become the "it" thing of our generation and its become the biggest thing in all age groups.  It's not just young kids.  It's seniors too!  Are you a part of the social media craze?  

Desk Fans

Did you know? 

That there are actually fans out there that connect to your computer?  This way if you travel and don't have a fan conveniently close by, you can connect one to your computer through a USB port.  I actually bought this fan thinking it was your regular run-of-the-mill plug in fan but it turns out that it is not.  It's kind of a nice surprise because now I have a fan to use attached to my computer.  I got mine at Bed, Bath, and Beyond!

Being breeky!

What am I talking about?

You've heard of the terms brawny and geeky, right?  Now if you think about it, most people fall under one category or another but then there are some of us that are actually a mix of both.  I'm a bookworm and geeky at heart but I also like swimming and other types of exercise.  Being breeky, actually makes me think of the movie Divergent.  It's so easy to put labels on each other and to say you are this and I am that however you can so easily be a combination.  

How crafty are you?

If you have a mind to...

Then set up an account on Etsy and sell your things.  This is kind of like a virtual flea market.  If there's something you want to sell then sell it.  If there's something you want to buy then buy it.  I have met various people that use Etsy to sell their crafts and they love using it.

Speeddating...

Have you ever tried this?

I have a friend whose sister met her hubby at one of these events.  And over the years I've heard from different friends how they wanted to try this so awhile back I decided to do one of these.  I figured that it's something that I can cross off my bucket list.  Not that it was on my bucket list but why not?  I was actually pleasantly surprised.  Most of the guys were friendly and not too intense.  I just took the event for what it is and had fun with it.  The event I attended was outside and the weather was just right.  Sometimes in life you just need to do things for fun.  

Autumn...

is actually here...

Right?  Brrr...  It's always interesting to note that our seasons jump in different directions on any given day.  I remember driving out one morning years ago and it began as a sunny morning, then midway thru the trip I started noticing falling leaves in autumn colors and finally arrived at my destination to falling snow.  Where exactly does that happen?  Here!  This weather may actually be the death of me!

Time to open Pandora's box!

For all you music lovers out there...

If you like listening to music then try Pandora.  It's an easy way to listen to music.  If you like to jam...

Enjoy your weekend!

ZZZzzzz...

Sometimes it's nice to just take a break and be lazy.  We are always on the go and are constantly doing this or that.  When was the last time you took a break and just did nothing all day?  Not often, right?  Enjoy a relaxing Sunday!  Sunday is meant to be a day of rest.

A Midsummer's Night Dream?

Not...

Fall

Time to visit a pumpkin patch!