Random Dozen

I haven't been part of the Random Dozen in many weeks, but I thought I'd jump in today.

1. Are you pleasant when you're ill, or are you a grumpy, fussy patient?

I guess I'm grumpy when I'm sick, but I always try not to ask for too much.

2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction?

My gut reaction is to wish I was still a kid in school, so I could take a day off.  I don't have kids, so snow days (or bad weather) don't affect me. 

3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve?

Baking.  I can do it, but there are a lot of times I've had to throw dough or batter away that just didn't come together right.  I also struggle without a photo accompanying a recipe because I'm never sure how to tell if something is done.  I'm always afraid I'll over bake something, and then they get burnt.  I sure could improve in the baking department.

4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day?

No, I basically ignore Valentine's Day.  Does anyone else ignore it?

5. What song is on your mind today?

"Glorious Day" sung by Jeff Johnson

6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic?

I like both, but I guess I'm more into contemporary movies these days.  When I lived at home, my sister and I would sit with our mom and watch musicals together like Singin' In the Rain, Funny Girl, The King and I, and Brigadoon.  I still like those movies, but I guess they're more fun to watch with someone, rather than alone. 

7. How well do you "compartmentalize" your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside a tiff with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room.

Not good at ALL.  I have to deal with problems like right now.  If things aren't resolved pretty quickly, I find it hard to do anything else.

8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your spouse? (Or if you're single, to your best friend.)

Rich just sort of has this charm about him.  It's kinda like a shy humor.  I don't know how else to explain it.

9. When was the last time your heart raced?

It was last week.  Sometimes our surround speakers pick up a frequency from CB radios or cell phones when trucks drive past our house.  It comes in LOUD and SUDDEN.  Scares the livin' daylights out of me.

10. What are your memories of Valentine's Day at school?

I remember being in elementary school when we would decorate paper bags to receive valentines from our classmates.  Seems like we'd get some candy and conversation hearts, and we probably even had a little party with heart sugar cookie cutouts with pink or red frosting.  I remember one year I was probably in the 3rd or 4th grade when I was home sick with the flu on Valentine's Day.  I was so depressed because I was going to miss out on the party.  They did save me a bag of valentines and treats, though.

11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine's Day, which would you prefer?

CHOCOLATE!!!  Ghirardelli or Dove would be just fine.  Although I will eat conversation hearts, I've never really cared for them ever.

12. Red or pink?

Definitely pink!

 

You should go and visit Linda's blog now and see how other bloggers answered the Random Dozen.

Still Determined to Lose

I slept like a baby last night.  Went to bed at 9:30 and didn't get up until 5:45.  I knew I was in need of some serious pillow time after exercising yesterday. 

I sure was glad when I was able to get out of bed this morning without too much effort.  My legs seem to have taken the brunt of the work because they are sorer than my upper body.  I can walk alright, but standing up, sitting down, and walking down the stairs makes me groan just a bit.

My program gave me a day off today, but I'll be back at it tomorrow.  I really, really want to lose the rest of this weight, so I'm ready to go again.

I think this time I'll schedule a nap shortly afterward, since I'm gonna need to be at church for Word of Life.  After the way I felt last night, I can't afford a repeat of that, or my kids are gonna be looking at a zombie.

Determined To Lose

I started a new workout plan today.  Honestly, I've only got about 7 pounds to lose in order to reach my goal, but I keep going up and down on the same 3 pounds.  I'm determined to get to my goal!  So anyway.  New workout today.  And I am feelin' the burn now. 

Did someone say "nap"?  I could sure use one about now.  {yawn}

I have a feeling it's going to be hard to get out of bed tomorrow morning.  Oy.

Chat Pack - Lost

Okay, so how many of you saw the title of this post and thought I was going to talk about the show LOST?  No such luck, people.  No such luck.  I'm not a Lostie, nor could I even try to be.  I have attempted on three separate occasions to watch the pilot episode and never could figure out what was happening.  So I gave up long ago. 

So what I'm really doing on this fine Friday is answering another question from my Chat Pack. 

Question:  If you could get one thing back that was either lost or destroyed, what would it be?

I could answer this one on a few different levels, but I'm going to keep it simple today.  In fact, when I found this question in the box a few weeks ago, this is the very first thing that came to mind... my Senior Yearbook from 1991.

Yeah, my senior yearbook has been missing for many years.  I have searched everywhere I know to look.  I looked in all my bags and boxes of stuff I brought with me when I got married in '95.  I had looked through all my parents' boxes in storage, to the best of my ability.  I have no idea what happened to it.  I have five other yearbooks from junior high through 11th grade that managed to remain together, but the senior yearbook is gone.  GONE!  My SENIOR YEARBOOK.  The most important one of all.  It was the only year my picture looked good.  And it's gone.

I imagine all my classmates sitting at home on weekends flipping through the pages of their senior yearbooks reminiscing.  They're reading all those personal notes that our friends signed like, "It's been fun getting to know you"... "You have a fun personality"... "You have a nice smile"...."Don't ever change."  And I'm missing out on all that.  I can't help but feel a bit jealous of my fellow grads.  I hope they know how lucky they are.

I sure wish I could get my yearbook back.  {sigh}

Has anything important to you been lost or destroyed, and you want it back?

I'm Sick...Sorta

I think I might have an ear infection.  For the last three weeks or so I've had a funny sensation in my ear and jaw area that feels like I have fluid in there moving around.  So.  This morning when I got up it was very noticeable.  A little more intense and sporadic feelings of pressure and discomfort.  Then as the morning wore on I realized the whole area now has developed into a dull ache.  I feel slightly stuffy and am irritable, which WebMD tells me are symptoms.  (Not that I've lost my patience with anyone yet.)

I've never had this type of thing before.  I told Rich it's like being sick, but I'm not.  He informed me that an ear infection IS being sick.  So I guess I'm sick.

I am going to lay down for awhile and apply moist heat.

Sunday Highlights

My Sundays are very full days with the various things I'm involved in at church.  I thought maybe I'd share some of the highlights of the day, in no particular order.

The cookies I made for the carry-in dinner were a hit!  People were asking for the recipe, which thrilled me because I'm not typically the go-to-gal when it comes to a to-die-for treat.  Want to try them?  Click here for the recipe.

While we were waiting in the food line, one of my students pointed at me and said, You are the best Sunday school teacher!  That is so sweet to hear.  I'm thankful that God gives me favor with some of them.

Dad preached a very good sermon about the joy of the Lord being our strength.  Joy is a source or cause of delight, and we find that in Jesus.  That's why even in tribulations we can experience joy.  There is joy in knowing God is with us, in reading His Word, in serving others, and in doing the Father's will.  I love that these truths dovetail with my study on gratitude.  I think joy and gratitude go hand in hand.

Dr. John MacArthur spoke in our evening service.  Okay, that's not exactly the whole story.  Dr. MacArthur was on DVD, and I wasn't even in the service to see him.  I had toddler duty.  But I'm sure it blessed everyone who was in the service.

Links I Love

I've come across some good links this week.  Check these out!

Nancy Leigh DeMoss speaks on Revive Our Hearts about needing a divine anointing for ministry every day: 

Divine Anointing - Part 1 and Divine Anointing - Part 2

What message are you sending?:  Just a Harmless Facebook Status Update?

This recipe sounds yummy:  Jo-Lynne's Corn Muffins