Photobucket Phun!

Saw this at Susan's Learning for a Lifetime and wanted to play along!

Here are the directions:
1. Go to Photobucket.com
2. Type in your “answer” to the question in the search box.
3. Use only the first page!
4. Insert the picture on your blog!




1. What is your current relationship status?





2. What is your current mood?





3. What is your favorite movie?





4. What is your favorite band/singer?





5. Where do you live?





6. Where do you work?





7. What do you look like?





8. What do you drive?





9. What's your favorite TV show? (Currently)





10. Describe yourself.





11. What are you doing today?





12. What did you do last night?





13. What is your name?

Wordless Wednesday

1 Click - Friendship

You know on amazon.com, where you can sign on for 1-click ordering? Where in just 1-click your order is on its way to your house? Well, this post is about 1-click Friendship.

1-click onto a blog that started much more than I could have ever imagined.

Honestly, I cannot remember how I stumbled across it - I believe God's hand was involved! I do know that the friendship started with food - my first comment was left on a post about cookies - chocolate chip cookies - and boy, are they yummy.

As I kept visiting this blog, I noticed we had similar interests:

~She was originally from the east coast. (I'm on the east coast)

~She featured a lot of Southern Living at Home products in her posts. (I sell SL@H)

~She had two boys (I have two boys). And hers, now 3, are all so adorable.

~She featured a lot of wonderful looking recipes and shares her love of being in the kitchen! (I like to cook/bake)

~And, she has a super fun personality that kept me coming back for more. (I love to laugh)

~One pretty cool thing that we discovered through chatting, was that one of her college roommates went to high school with me! (This means she knows how to pick great friends!! Right, Lynn?)

So, what do you do when you meet a blogger that you have so much in common with? Well, you pick a date to get together when she comes into town and actually...MEET HER!!

(We even dress similarly!!)

Sarah, aka Short Stop, came back east for a visit last month and we set a date to meet at Cracker Barrel (what is it with me, bloggers, driving in the rain, and Cracker Barrel?)

She had arrived before I...ahem...traffic! But, when I walked in and saw a momma pushing a stroller and sporting a Vera Bradley bag - I knew it was her!! I sneaked up from behind and told her the bag and stroller were a dead giveaway!!

Sarah is so warm and bubbly on her blog - and even more so in person!!

It was like we had met like this a dozen times before. It wasn't awkward or strange at all.

Those who read both our blogs can probably guess that we had plenty to keep busy talking about - and we did manage to gobble up some dinner (and dessert) too!

When we left, we asked the cashier to take our picture. She asked if we were sisters and she seemed to enjoy watching the two of us interact with one another. What a special treat that she said that to us - it was just the perfect topper to the evening!!

Thank you Sarah for finding the time to fit me in to your travel schedule - I am just so glad that we could get together!! And, I enjoyed that I got some time with little Lincoln too!!

So yeah, 1-click friendship - a comment left on a post about cookies. And the following comments, emails and g-chats grew into something so much more! Thank you for your friendship, Sarah!

16 months already???

Well then, let's have ourselves a party. Anyone care to dance? Just click on the play button below before you scroll down through the pictures! :-)

Click on this one to make it bigger and see his face better! I LOVE those dimples!

Where has the time gone? Its been a great 16 months, my baby boy!!!

Is it just me...

...or do forks and spoons hanging from string and scarves...

as well as blankets hanging from the TV cabinet...

spark something that could be the start of the hottest and latest new trends in today's interior decorating?

Show & Tell

Today is Show & Tell Friday, visit Kelli's to see more!

"Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item."

My last show and tell was about the sewing machine my mother had given me and that I wanted to purchase a new one.

After checking out some different brands, I decided on this Brother machine. I found it for a great deal - almost half of its retail value. Its a special edition featuring the "Project Runway" show logo. I'm not familiar with the show, but if someone is using this machine for not only several people to create clothing with but to be featured on a realty tv show - I knew it was a good one! My parents came with me - Dad stayed in the truck with the kids and my mom and I went in the store. She liked it so much, she bought one for herself as well - not only was it such a great deal - but she needed an upgrade to do her quilts! (quilts, part 1 and quilts, part 2)

I've done several projects and I absolutely love it! I had started this one last Fall but didn't finish it because I knew it was too big for Elle. When I make her clothing, I have to do a size smaller than her age - she's a half pint like her mom!!! :)

And, Wednesday afternoon, I started my second project and finished it yesterday. I used Sewsensible's Twirl Skort pattern and I absolutely love it. Yesterday morning the kids and I went to the mall and I found the top at Kohl's! Its a perfect match. Now all we need is some warmer weather and she's all set!

Thanks for visiting my Show & Tell - Have a wonderful weekend!!!

My Trip - Movie and Music!! Don't miss out!!

For the photoshow below, click on the button with 2 squares in it to enlarge the photoshow to full page! And, click on the play button on the music player underneath the slideshow. Its is a song by Sugarland, who was in concert at the truck show (sponsored by Kenworth - how awesome!!)

Wordless Wednesday (more to come)

Cold Tangerines - A book review

I saw this book, Cold Tangerines: Celebrating the extraordinary nature of everyday life, at Short Stop's blog and had been tempted to pick up a copy to read it. Boy was I in for a shock when she posted that she had 10 copies from the publisher to give away on her blog. And then, when the day came to announce the 10 winners, she had a bigger announcement: She had attained a copy for each person who commented - 30 copies! Thank you Short Stop and Thank you Zondervan!!

Not only did Short Stop want us to read this book, but she wanted to know what we thought of it. And our reviews could win us some prizes - how sweet is that? :-) Oh, and she'll be hosting the author, Shauna Niequest, for a Q & A session on Friday! Be sure to stop over for that!!

I was really excited when my copy came in the mail. Just pulling it out of the envelope made me smile with its pretty orange color and smooth texture. It is a compilation of short stories, I believe about 40, and it is nice to be able to pick up and read a little and then walk away. (You know, like when you're called away by the children and forget what you had last read? LOL)

As I was reading the introduction, I underlined this, "...we are changed and inspired and ennobled, able to see the handwriting of a holy God where another person just sees the same old tired streets and sidewalks." She was writing of the longing to be our best selves. This captured my attention, because I am someone who searches for God's fingerprints - in those parts of our lives when we don't understand why something is happening. To me, in searching for God's handwriting or fingerprints - we can draw closer to Him and become our best selves - the person whom He desires us to be.

I could totally identify with many of the struggles and feelings she expresses in the book. There were several mom-stories where I was laughing, crying and shaking my head in agreement. (A hot shower!! Car seats in the doorway!!) In other parts of the book, I found myself having a difficult time understanding her reactions to some of the things happening in her life; for example, her focus on her weight early in the book. During those parts, I found myself wanting to encourage her to wait on God and for His perfect timing; or to see herself as God views her.

To be completely honest, I believe I thought I would be reading a different type of book when I started. With this being written by a Christian women, I assumed the book would have more of a spiritual emphasis. I found myself longing for her to pull in the scripture verses that gave her strength in those moments. Verses that I could use to pull myself together when I am in a moment of similar feelings or thoughts.

But what I found was a book written by a woman who is real - real to show her brutal honesty and herself completely. She writes beautifully of her dear friends, her family and the love she has for life. And that love jumps off the pages of this book. However, Cold Tangerines did not change my perspective on my life as I was somehow expecting - and maybe that is because I am similar to Shauna in that, in my own way, I already try to 'celebrate the extraordinary nature of everyday life.' Or, perhaps my personal frustrations with weight kept me from seeing what she wanted me to see. This was not one of those books that kept me up until the wee hours of the morning, but I would recommend it to a friend as an enjoyable, well-written read.

Thanks again Short Stop for sharing this book with all of us! You are such a joy and a delight!

It's awful...but it got better!

It's awful I tell ya. It is terrible.

How could they?

Why me?

T and his buddies went to the show yesterday and went to Freightliner - and NO KASEY KAHNE.

What the world? (T just looked over my shoulder and said, "Boy, that's a PA Dutch phrase)

Last year, they not only brought in Kasey Kahne and his #9 car, but they had the #20 (Tony Stewart) car and Richard Petty was here - A NASCAR legend. (Listen to me talk about nascar like I really know my stuff - BAH!)

So, anyway - looks like no pictures of me and Kasey. But that is okay. I'm really not upset. Really, I'm not. But once I get home, I'm canceling my membership in his fan club! HA!

I'm trying to keep positive and think about things like how great my shoes look on my feet and how comfortable my shoes are! Oh, and what great hair days I'm having that I would have looked so good in a picture with Kasey.

But it was not meant to be.

BUT...

I was so blessed yesterday.

In coming to KY, I knew I was a little closer to my friend, Tracy.

We both did some driving (there's nothing quite like driving on unfamiliar roads in POURING rain) and met up at Cracker Barrel. I knew it was her as soon as she stepped in the door!

We had such a wonderful time chatting. We talked about so many different things and shared so many laughs. It was like we've done it so many times before.

Tracy has such a sweet spirit and she totally impresses me with her strong faith in God and the desire to hold on to her convictions! It was such a pleasure to meet you in person Tracy! (Even if ya ribbed me on your blog about drinking coke! haha)

Well, I'm off to go see me some trucks! And yes, Ginger, I'll get some pictures in them for you! YEEHAW!!!!

We're here!!

We had a delay with our flight and finally arrived late afternoon yesterday.

Guess what? There are a lot of trucks here!! :)

Actually, I say it all in good fun! I've got great traveling companions! Two guys that drive dump truck with T are along!

I think I'm doing good knowing the difference between a Mac, a Peterbilt and so on. But these guys know the engines in them and everything! I enjoy seeing their passion and it is fun to have them along!

I'm off for some of my own traveling today and hope to get into the show later this afternoon.

T and the other two men will be heading to the show this morning. They are hoping to test drive some trucks, but it is raining, so we're not sure what they'll do yet. (Aren't you all sitting on the edges of your seats?)

Packing and Shoes

Its not that I don't like packing, its that I just. don't. like. packing. OK, there I said it. I do not like packing. I do not like it Sam I am! (Guess what we've been watching/reading around here?)

Sigh, but it must be done. Its almost 4:30 now, and T and I are flying out of Baltimore in less than 24 hours.

I think maybe it would be easier if I could just pack for T and me. But I'm pretty sure the grandparents want me to pack things for the kids.

Did I hear someone ask where we are going? I did, didn't I? ;-)

Kentucky - I've never been to Kentucky. I hope its warm!

What's in Kentucky? The 2008 Mid-America Trucking Show! It was the largest industry event of 2007 and remains the undisputed champion among trucking trade shows. But, you already knew that, right?

T has gone the past several years and it is here...at this truck show...that he met and had his picture taken with Kasey Kahne. NO!! I did not just hear you ask "Who is Kasey Kahne?" UNBELIEVABLE!! And you call yourself a reader? For those of you, for whatever unknown reason, aren't glued to your television on Sunday afternoons watching the race, Kasey, drives the #9 car in NASCAR.

Need a refresher? (that would be Kasey on the left and my dear sweet hubby who loves me more than anything on the right!)

The opportunity came along to go this year and I jumped at the chance to have my picture taken with Kasey join my hubby on this trip. What would you have said? ;-)

I mean if a husband is willing to stand in line to get a picture taken with a guy his wife has a silly crush on, then she's just as willing to walk around a truck show and look at....uh...truck...uh...stuff!?!

So, back to packing. I've gotta pack up the kiddos to go stay with Grandma and Grandpa for a few days. That's easy....But I find myself asking many questions, like: What does one wear to a truck show?

Slacks? Jeans? I think my cute black boots might be out of the question. T said to wear shoes that are comfortable - we'll be walking a lot. Hmm, sneakers? Nah. I believe this calls for a trip to the store. A trip to find "Truck Show Shoes!"

Ahhh, here is comfort, my friends. Check out these little cuties.

I wasn't sure if I could justify purchasing them right before a trip. Ya know, because one tends to purchase things on vacation. And then I reminded myself, I'm going to a Truck Show. I mean, what could a girl buy herself at a truck show? Hmmm, sounds like a good future post! I'll get back to you on that one!

Along with packing - we'll be taking our assortment of antibiotics, decongestants and nasal sprays to combat our ear infections - Nice, huh? I can't wait for lift-off! ;-)

But hey, as I told a friend, flying will be made more bearable by looking at my cute feet when I feel the pressure in my ear! So all is good! I've got my comfy shoes, I need to pack my jeans, shirts and some fun socks for my shoes to showcase and we're off.

Do you think Kasey will like them?

Easter fun