BERTOLLI GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO with portobello mushrooms...Complete Skillet Meal for Two

As described by Bertolli, "Imported Fettuccine pasta cooks up al dente and twirls around your fork - just like it would at a table in Tuscany. Tender grilled chicken breast fillets, portobello mushrooms and juicy tomatoes are nestled under a rich Alredo sauce made with white wine, Pecorino Romano cheese and extra virgin olive oil."

The description is a bit romantic, but pretty accurate. This is really quite good!

Don't miss today's QC report. Quinn takes us along on a delightful trip to Malibu to see the trained house cats. The entire story is wonderful, but I especially love this:

" Los Angeles is not a city. I know it is a city by legal definition, and perhaps a dozen or so people in the bowels of City Hall think of it as a city, but it’s not a city. Los Angeles is a loose confederation of about forty principalities which view their neighbors with fear and confusion. Periodic border wars break out between Santa Monica and Venice. West Hollywood has been known to lob Scud missiles into Burbank’s air space. I exaggerate, but not by nearly enough. I have a friend who swears she has never been east of La Cienega. This means she has never seen about 2/3 of L.A. The parochialism goes both ways; the East side types view driving west of Fairfax as an invitation to be dragged from their cars and forced into Banana Republic khakis while their cars are stripped of old Germs tapes to be replaced with Josh Groban CDs."

Deception of Self
Last week at Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), the leader talked about the importance of putting God before business. She reminded us that it is easy to become distracted this time of year and put off Bible study and prayer until everything else is finished. She warned against it and I sat in my seat smugly thinking, "I won't do that. . . I don't do that."

Today I will go to BSF having answered zero questions. I feel like Judas. The people at Cafe Sophia must understand. This came via email this morning:

James 1:22 Be doers of the word and not only hearers, thus deceiving yourselves.
Psalms 46:10 Be still; stop all your striving and know who I AM.

No one enjoys being deceived. However if we hear or read or speak words often enough we usually end up thinking we are living them. That is self-deception. The Bible tells us to be doers of the words of God rather than merely hearers or speakers of them. In our minds we can easily agree with the words of God, but our lives are the only testing ground for true agreement. We need to look past our words and ask, "What is my life really saying?" This requires some consideration. It often takes silence.

I believe there are times when we need to fast from the input and output of words. Consider turning off the television, radio, and conversations for a while. Shut down the streams of constant information. Refrain, for a time, from quickly handing out words of wisdom. Be silent before God and ask for insight. "Reveal to me those blind spots of self-deception. Help me to live what I say I believe." It is often that we fear the silence, but it is better to fear an abundance of words. Take some time to be silent and consider the words of your life before the eyes of God.

I got this in one of those emails that goes around. The ones in red apply to me. How about you?

YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL IN THE 70'S IF. . .

You wore a rainbow shirt that was half-sleeves, and the rainbow went up one sleeve, across your chest, and down the other.

You made baby chocolate cakes in your Easy Bake Oven and washed them down with snow cones from your Snoopy Snow Cone Machine.

You had that Fisher Price Doctor's Kit with a stethoscope that actually worked. (I don't remember the stethoscope, but I did love the bottle of medicine, which was actually a bottle of pastel non-pareils).

You owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket with flowers on it.

You learned to skate with actual skates (not roller blades) that had metal wheels.

You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (admit it!).

You had nightmares after watching Fantasy Island.

You had rubber boots for rainy days and Moon boots for snowy days.

You had either a "bowl cut" or "pixie," not to mention the "Dorothy Hamill" because your Mom was sick of braiding your hair. People sometimes thought you were a boy. (I also had a "shag" for awhile. It was horrible. Usually I had ponytails my mom made so tight it hurt when I took them out!)

Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession.

You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers.

You begged Santa for the electronic game, Simon.

You had the Donnie and Marie dolls with those pink and purple satiny
shredded outfits.

You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set with the trapeze. The swing set tipped over at least once.

You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color.

You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with hard sole & the buckle). You also had a pair of salt-water sandals.

You wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder really bad; you wore that Little House on the Prairie-inspired plaid, ruffle shirt with the high neck in at least one school picture; and you despised Nellie Olson!

You wanted your first kiss to be at a roller rink.

Your hairstyle was described as having "wings" or "feathers" and you kept it "pretty" with the comb you kept in your back pocket. (Of course, this was the late 70s and I was no longer a little girl).

You know who Strawberry Shortcake is, as well as her friends, Blueberry Muffin and Huckleberry Pie.

You carried a Muppets lunch box to school and it was metal, not plastic.

You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard was your boyfriend.

Every now and then "It's a Hard Knock Life" from the movie, "Annie" will pop into your brain and you can't stop singing it the whole day.

YOU had Star Wars action figures, too!

It was a big event in your household each year when the "Wizard of Oz" would come on TV. Your mom would break out the popcorn and sleeping bags!

You often asked your Magic-8 ball the question: "Who will I marry. Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett, or Rick Springfield?"

You completely wore out your Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Fame soundtrack record album.

You tried to do lots of arts and crafts, like yarn and Popsicle-stick God's eyes, decoupage, or those weird potholders made on a plastic loom.

You made Shrinky-Dinks and put iron-on kittens on your t-shirts!

You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker.

You couldn't wait to get the free animal poster that came when you ordered books from the Weekly Reader book club. Double score if it was a teddy bear dressed in clothing.

You learned everything you needed to know about girl issues from Judy Blume books (Are you there God, It's me, Margaret.)

You thought Olivia Newton John's song "Physical" was about aerobics.

You wore friendship pins on your tennis shoes, or shoelaces with heart or rainbow designs.

You wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer.

You had a Big Wheel with a brake on the side, and a Sit-n-Spin. (Well, my brother did, anyway).

You had subscriptions to Dynamite and Tiger Beat.

You spent all your allowance on smurfs and stickers for your sticker album!

I think a lot of these are for girls who were born in the 70s, or at least the LATE 60s. I've decided to add a few more of my own:

You had a chambray shirt or denim jacket covered with embroidery.

You watched television while relaxing on your bean bag chiair, which was sitting atop your shag carpet.

Your parents made you get up to change the channel on the televsion.

Your home was decorated with harvest gold, avocado green and brown.

You learned to macrame and you can use the word "jute" in a sentence.

You thought Tenille was lucky to have the Captain.

You've made a pop-top chain.

You took swimming lessons with a rubber hat on your head. It may have had rubber flowers on it.

You know that daisies, owls and mushrooms look really good together.

"Pong" was the greatest electronic invention EVER.

HUMAN FEMALE INNARDS!

Dem Bones
Colin set up shop again today. He took all the bones from his new skeleton game and divided them up into little cups according to their type. There were bowls of skulls, feet, spinal cords...you get the idea. Each bowl had a price tag attached (10 cents), and there was a sign that said "Open" on one side and "Closed" on the other. He waited patiently for customers to arrive.

At one point, while I was putting lights on our tree, I heard him sigh a loud and heavy sigh. "I've worked so hard to open this bone store and nobody will shop here. I need a job."

From the adjoining room, Spencer replied, "You have a job. You work at the bone store."

Colin said, "But nobody will buy anything. I will go out of business."

Feeling a little guilty, I went shopping. I told him I would take one of each type of bone and asked if he could hold them for me while I went to the bank for money. No problem, but he suggested I might want more than one of each. You see, if I got two of some things, I could make an entire skeleton.

Sold.

When I returned with my money, he had bagged my bones in a zip lock bag and written a receipt. He suggested I might want to think about buying extra bones in case I ever lost any. I told him I would consider it.

A little later, I heard him trying to talk Spencer into buying some bones. He pointed out that Spencer had a lot of money in his bank. Spencer said, "Well, I'm not going to use that to buy BONES!!" The Colin suggested he buy some for his Daddy. Spencer agreed to buy Daddy a skull, and Colin then talked him into a spinal cord to go with it! Amazing.

By the end of the day, Colin had made 240 cents. (He said, "Look how much cents I have!")

I'm guessing Colin will grow up to be a teen-aged door-to-door magazine salesman.

Do this, don't do that
(from Charles)

So the question is, "Have you ever....?"

Smoked a cigarette or tried it: Once. Hand-rolled. Blegh.

Crashed a friend's car: No. Well, I crashed into a friend's car one month after getting my license. Doesn that count?

Stolen a car: No, but once when we were 15 Buzz sneaked a car out of his parent's garage and drove it over to my house, then convinced me to ride around with him.

Been dumped: Yep. Many times.

Shoplifted: Unfortunately, yes. I was in grade school and some "friends" talked me into stealing candy. I was scared to death, totally regretted it, and didn't do it again.

Been fired/laid off: Nope.

Been in a fist fight: No.

Snuck out of your parent's house: No.

Been arrested: No.

Gone on a blind date: Yes.

Lied to a friend: Don't think so.

Skipped school: Not until I was at least 20 years old.

Seen someone die: No.

Been to Canada: No.

Been to Mexico: Yes. Brownsville. Spring Break 1986. I bought a blanket, some earrings and a giant bottle of vanilla.

Eaten Sushi: Of course!

Met someone in person from the internet: half - dozens.

Taken pain-killers: Yes!

Had a tea party: Many.

Cheated while playing a game: Not that I can remember.

Fallen asleep at work: I've never fallen asleep at a place of business, but I've fallen asleep while working at home many, many times!

Used a fake ID: No. But Danny Mackey taught me how to get into a place without an I.D. by using a confident stride.

Felt an earthquake: No.

Touched a snake: Yes.

Been robbed: No.

Petted a reindeer/goat: A goat. What kind of question is this? As if reindeer and goats are similar? How about "Petted a fish/buffalo"? (Yes, I've petted a fish).

Won a contest: Yes! Mostly of the musical kind.

Been suspended from school: No. (Anybody else wonder why Charles was suspended?)

Been in a car accident: Many. All minor.

Had braces: Just a retainer, a bunch of teeth pulling and some small oral surgeries.

Eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night: I think I did eat a pint of Cherry Garcia once. Haven't been able to eat it since. It was good, though.

Witnessed a crime: Only fashion crimes.

Swam in the ocean: One of my favorite things to do!

Sung karaoke: Once, with a bunch of friends in a dark karaoke party room with no air conditioning (in Dallas).

Paid for a meal with only coins: Oh, sure.

Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose: It always seems to be Dr. Pepper.

Been kissed under mistletoe: Yes.

Crashed a party: No. Sounds fun, though.

Worn pearls: Yes!

Jumped off a bridge: Uh...no.

Ate dog/cat food: No.

Kissed a mirror: No.

Glued your hand to something: No, which surprises me.

Done a one-handed cartwheel: Ha! right.

Talked on the phone for more than 6 hours: yuck. no.

Didn't take a shower for a week: No way.

Pick and ate an apple right off the tree: Yes! Figs, too!

Been told by a complete stranger that you're hot: Yes, but it has been awhile. Oh, wait....I think someone told me that last summer, but it was a waitress and I was sweating.

Colin just made this list to give to Santa. He would like all these models for Christmas. I think Santa may be in a little bit of trouble this year.

Red and Green Friday
I usually join the early morning shoppers on black Friday every year. I've driven throught the dark streets for a pre-dawn discount, but this year the retailers simply pushed me to far. 5:00 a.m.????? Are they insane? I thought I might have been crazy to go to the 6:00 a.m. sales. 5:00 start time kept me home for the day. If you can't go at the very beginning, I see little reason to get out at all on this busy shopping day. The major incentives usually go to the very first customers. Once the sun comes up, you can't find many deals that you can't also find tomorrow.

The incentives weren't quite as good this year as in years past, either. I know why. The professional black Friday shoppers work the system too well. They scour the papers on Thursday and make a time-scheduled plan to get in on as many deals as possible. I've seen them arrive at the first store to open, push through the line to get their incentive (I was onced literally raised off the ground by the masses) and then they run to their cars and drive to the next store. After collecting all their coupons, gift cards and give-aways, they go back to shop with the items that expire that day. If the retailer hasn't planned against it, they end up giving things away to people who don't even shop the store!

The big retailers wised up this year and came up with systems to stop most of that. It is a good thing they've done that, perhaps nobody will be smushed this year.

We did get out for an IHOP brunch this morning, and the waiter said the restaurant was full at 5:30 this morning. Apparently the Wal Mart shoppers arrived at 5:00, got their goods and decided they had time for breakfast before hitting the 6:00 sales. I was just glad I had stayed home!

By 10:00 this morning we had our living room filled with boxes of Christmas decorations, the tree put out and all the fall decorations gathered to be put away. Hopefully, we'll have the whole house decorated by tomorrow night. (I'd shoot for tonight, but. . . why?)

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. Let me know what you're doing today!

Thanksgiving 2003 we started a new tradition. Each person at dinner would get three little leaves on which to write what he or she was thankful for that year. The reverse side is for the name and year. We put them in a bowl and pass them around the table. Each person would remove a few leaves and read them to everyone.

As we prepared for this Thanksgiving, the boys and I hung the leaves from previous years on our Thanksgiving Tree. The boys were so excited to decorate the tree and they talked about what they were planning to write on their leaves this year. What a blessing it was to hear them chatter away about their thankfulness!

I believe the tree has changed our Thanksgivings forever. When Colin awoke this morning, the first thing he did was shout, "HURRAY! IT'S THANKSGIVING!!!!!" We added 15 new leaves to our tree this year and spent some time after lunch reading all the leaves from the last two years, remembering who was with us, laughing at some of the sweet answers the children gave and fondly remembering those we shared our days with.

I'd like to recommend the book Alphabet Adventure to all of you who have children ages 4-8 in your life. The book is about the dot that is missing from little "i". It is an exciting mystery. Once the mystery is solved, you'll find there were clues hidden on every page. Colin has loved this book for so many years, our copy has pages taped together. He pulled it out for me to read today after he drew this little illustration from the book.

We have a neighbor named Ed. He appears at our door periodically with books for our boys or a plate of homemade peanut butter cookies (his specialty). Sometimes he stays for a chat and other times he just leaves the gifts, gives us hugs and heads back home. The books usually come from his wife, but she is never feeling quite well enough to come over with him.

Recently his stays have lasted a bit longer and we've had a chance to get to know him better. Their family (siblings and children) live far away and we have become like surrogate children and grandchildren for them despite our infrequent visits. I'm ashamed to admit, I've tried to keep a bit of distance because of my own fears about getting close and risking heartache. I know they are hoping for a relationship with us, but I've held back.

Last night, however, I was put to the test. While sitting at this very desk, ambulance lights appeared outside my window. I was sure it was Ed's wife, so I went out to the ambulance to comfort Ed. I was wrong.

It was Ed.

Before the ambulance left, I gave his wife my card so she could call me for a ride home. Thankfully, she did call, and I've been blessed to be of service to her these past 24 hours. She has told me repeatedly how wonderful her Eddie is, the kindest man she ever knew. She said she is the luckiest woman because she got Eddie. He is patient, kind, smart and just plain nice. Oh, and he "talks" to the other drivers. (Ha!)

Ed is still in the hospital tonight, but they hope to send him home in the morning. Meanwhile, the article you see on the left arrived in mailboxes around the country today in the Billy Graham magazine.

Please say a prayer for Ed and Lyn.

Oklahoma Love-About II

Today's comments come from The Red River Historian, who lives in Texas, but loves Oklahoma:

Oklahoma is a crossroads of all sorts of cultures and the resulting culture clashes. European, African, and Native Americans all share strong histories throughout the state. Some of American history's biggest tragedies have played themselves out on Oklahoma soil, too, such as the Trail of Tears, Dust Bowl, and the
Oklahoma City bombing. However, most of what makes America America has roots in Oklahoma as well, like the cattle trails, the buffalo hunts, Route 66, Will Rogers, and the Joads. . . And the landscape, with rusty red earth jutting out from beneath rocky hills and sweeping prairies, paints an amazing picture.

This Just In From Cafe Sophia

Joshua 6:10 Joshua commanded the people: "Don't let your voice be heard until I give the signal. Don't let one word come out of your mouth until I say, 'shout'. Only then are you to shout."

Sometimes I want to stop writing and speaking about important things. Words are just too easy. They make us feel as if we are people of action. We think that because we have shouted at the darkness it will flee. We forget that the characters in the Bible who accomplished things by shouting did it through obedience. It's not the words or the shouts or the sacrifices that accomplish the ways of God - it's obedience.

Obeying the words of God is of course more difficult than speaking them. Obedience requires major changes, even death, to our self-centered perspectives. It's easier to dress our pride in words of righteousness hoping God will be as deceived as we are. He isn't. He can smell that stench a billion miles away.

Father, open our eyes that we may not be deceived by our own words. Help us to consider Your words seriously that they may change our lives. Jesus, help us to be people who are willing to shout, but waiting for you to give the word.

Spencer's schoolwork.














Here's a closer look at that turkey. I LOVE IT!

The day before.

Today

Gleeson Takes Control
In a move feared by leftists worldwide, the United Nations International Convention has given over control of the internet to Mr. Sean Gleeson of Oklahoma City. Mr. Gleeson, who normally wears cardigan sweaters (in the style of Fred Rogers), attended the world-changing event wearing a silk-wool blend suit in earthy green tones, a 300-count Egyptian cotton dress shirt with a pointy pointy collar, a hand-woven silk tie and black Ermenegildo Zegna lace-up shoes. Everyone knew Mr. Gleeson was the man of the hour because the font used for his name plate was much larger than that used for the other participants.

Mr. Gleeson will soon return to Oklahoma City. He will be signing autographs at WalGreens at 50th and May following the appearance of Susan Lucci.

Oklahoma Love-About
I've been inspired by OkieDoke's Okie Hate feature (which is hilarious - a must read) and decided to start a little feature of my own called Oklahoma Love-About (unless he objects, in which case I will cease and desist). The first entry comes from a man living in Vancouver, B.C. who was reared in Oklahoma and came for a visit last June:

I could list multiple things that I love about Oklahoma. I was born here. Lived here until 1996. Went to high school in Oklahoma and have great memories here. Also, I love the myriad of trucks, mud tires, mullets, gun racks, women with mullets driving trucks with mud tires and gun racks....

However, I just got back from getting a haircut and here is why I love Oklahoma the most. Three women at Pro-Cuts started blasting me with questions when they heard that I have worked in the church and am on my way to Canada to study theology (rEE-ly-jun | it actually has five syllables). Then, they got into an argument among themselves over what they considered to be two foundational doctrinal issues (worthy of breaking fellowship over):

1. The Trinity: One of the women was a oneness pentecostal and she argued the nature of the Trinity with two women who thought they were classic Trinitarians but were actually modalists. That in and of itself was worth the price of the haircut.
2. However, the second "doctrine" they proceeded to argue over gave me such joy that I gave a $5 tip. I was impressed with the vigor with which they debated this point of "doctrine" and applaud their courage for taking a stand on....SHOULD WOMEN BE ALLOWED TO WEAR BRITCHES?

Somehow, these reasons did not make me feel warm and fuzzy about Oklahoma.

Mom
Mom is home resting and doing exceedingly well. Thanks for all the emails and phone calls!

The Grass is Greener
I drove home through Nichols Hills today and noticed a team of men in white coats preparing strands of Christmas lights to decorate a home. I was driving the speed limit (25), so it was hard to count how many men were there, but my best guess is 6. This got me to thinking about something that has been puzzling me for some time now: how is it that my friends are always well dressed, relaxed and driving clean cars? How do they keep their homes so clean, landscaped and beautifully decorated? Why do their hair and nails always look perfect?

Some of them are energetic and gifted at homemaking, but I am discovering that many of them have help. Significant help. They wouldn't dream of digging around in their own yards to pull out trees or plant bushes. In fact, they may have a team visit their home at specified times throughout the year to weed, plant and decorate. They have sprinkler systems timed to water each morning so they don't have to. Crews buzz by once or twice a week to mow and rake. Teams of men hang Christmas lights and take them back down. A decorator is always on the lookout for the latest items to freshen the look inside, a caterer is available for parties and a maid arrives weekly to dust, vacuum and scrub.

When I was young, this sort of assistance was reserved for the very wealthy, but these days it is common. (My station in life has not changed significantly, so I feel qualified to make this observation, though some may claim I simply got wealthier friends). It is no wonder I can't keep up with them when I'm getting muddy and sweaty in the garden, scrubbing showers, decorating for holidays and washing windows.

So, I was wondering how much more time I would have if I hired more things done. For instance, if I had more than enough money to hire all that (seasonal decorating, cleaning, yard work, decorating, shopping for stuff to do all that...), would I have 3 hours more per day? 4 hours? What would I do with that time? Would I want to hire it out, or is it stuff I actually enjoy doing?

Before I answer (and I will), I wonder what you think? With money as no impediment, would you hire the jobs done? Which ones? Why? What would you do with the extra time?

The Day
Ugh.

I made an effort to get up by 6:00 this morning so I would have a head start on the big day. I did my Bible study, took a shower and fed my children all before my normal wake up time!

As we headed off for school, I stopped to drag in the trash cans and close our gate. None of this was easy considering the wind was blowing 200 mph and it was COLD, but I was determined and got it done. Just as I was getting in the car, I saw it: a flat tire. This was not good.

Still not shaken, I drove to the 7-11 for free air and started pumping. The wind whipped my hair into my face and lifted my shirt higher than it ought to be. My hands were freezing - and the air was leaving the tire. It was then that I started to cry. I tried to think fast. Who could I call that lived nearby? Nobody, they were all on their way to work or school. WHY ISN'T THE AIR GOING IN TO THE TIRE???? Finally in tears, I called James. His reply? "Is there someone you could call for help?"

Um. You?

I decided to try again. I turned around and saw that someone else had driven up and taken the air hose right out from under me. At first I was angry. Then I realized I could learn from her. After all, her tire was getting air and mine was totally empty. I humbled myself and asked her for help. She attached the hose to my car and it seemed to be working, so she left. Then I noticed something. The air compressor turned off.

That means she must have turned it ON.

AH HA!

Sometimes its the little things that get you, you know?

So, I spent most of my Bible Study Fellowship time sitting in a tire repair shop. I had a nail. Second time in two weeks. Suspicious, isn't it?

Everything else went as it should today. I took my mom for her surgery and we were early. Everyone in the waiting room was in good spirits and I took the opportunity to ham it up a bit and get everyone laughing. The surgery went well and all that. Of course, even with a good result, hanging out in a hospital takes its toll. My shoes were too tight and I got blisters, my clothes were too tight and I got annoyed.

But mostly it was the hospital memories that got to me. I've spent way more than my fair share of time in hospitals. I know my way around too well. I could probably pass as an employee if I wore the right clothes.

When they wheeled my mom up to the 9th floor, where my dad was a year ago, I began to feel a little faint. As her bed on wheels headed toward his room, I thought I might have to sit down. My knees were weak. I remembered where I stood when they told me he had a serious blood problem. I remembered feeding him by the window. I remembered talking to the doctor in the hall about getting hospice.

We passed that room (964) and went a few doors down to 974. It was all I could do to hold myself together. Thankfully my assistance was needed to get my mom transfered to her bed, so I had some busy work to do. My mom, ever the trooper, practically moved herself. She is the kind you have to stop from doing too much! I got her all settled in with her electronic equipment (movies and ebooks and telephones and remotes) and came on home for a nap and a good cry.

Tomorow
My mom is having surgery tomorrow afternoon for Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a device that briefly passes an electric current through the heart. It is "implanted," or put in your body surgically. It includes a pulse generator and one or more leads. The pulse generator constantly watches the heartbeat like a small computer that runs on a battery. The lead is a wire from the pulse generator to the inside of the heart which takes signals from the heart to the ICD and then takes an electric current from the pulse generator to the heart.

The most amazing thing is, she will not have a general anesthetic! She will stay in the hospital overnight and go home the next morning! (With this level of technology, I'm guessing they'll beam her home).

It seems it will be a fairly simple ordeal, but we'll take your prayers nonetheless.

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A friend of mine took this photo at Spencer's birthday party. I love it.
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You Say Its Your Birthday?

Its my birthday, too. Yeah.

42

It was a good day (excepting the incident below and the ensuing confusion). I was showered with gifts from my loyal friends, family and fans. I got hugs and kisses from my boys. I sat by the lake with my mom. I ate dinner with my girlfriends. I even got to wear a big pink sombrero whilst the nice man serenaded me. All this and sopapillas, too!

Not to mention I'm 42 now. I know, you're jealous, aren't you?

Well, well, well.

Keeping your flip phone in your bra works really well. I keep mine right where the strap meets the cup and it is easy to find at all times. Discreet even. But as proud as I have been about not having to "fish" around for my phone, it never occurred to me that the phone could, well, fall into the toilet.

And, somehow, submersion is not kind to cell phones.

Even worse: fishing in toilets.

Isn't she beautiful???
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Digest THIS!
As many of you already know, Colin is a scientist and is currently studying anatomy and germs. He is hoping to acquire a collection of models of body parts. For his birthday, he received a skeleton, a visible man and a model of a heart. For Christmas I have found (and purchased) a tooth model. But this beats all: a full model of the digestive system! Knitted!

After months of anticipation, Colin and Spencer got their first real fish tank for their birthdays. One of our new little fishies looks like this little guppy except he has a little "P" imprinted on tail (well, more like a birthmark). We now have two guppies, three zebra fish and 5 tetra. We also have three betta fish (in three seperate bowls), two snails and four cats. It is getting to be somewhat of a zoo around here. Colin asked for a saltwater tank for Christmas. He didn't like it when I laughed.

Ice, Ice Baby
So, last night as we were getting ready for homework (reading), Colin ran down the hall, tripped, and gashed his head on the strike plate of the door. At first I just thought he hit his head and I was holding him tight as he wailed. I knew it hurt because he rarely cries for physical injury. When he calmed down and I asked him where it hurt (so I could kiss it), he sat up and I saw that he and I were both covered in blood. I suggested we go for stitches and then the real wailing began.

James and I had to wrestle him to the car. James had the brilliant idea to send us with a portable DVD player and Colin's Christmas present: a Bill Nye the Science Guy DVD. Once we got that rolling, Colin calmed down considerably. We went to Children's Hospital (because there is rarely a wait there) and set up the DVD player in the waiting room. Having an unnatural level of experience going to the emergency room, I thought to bring a stack of quarters so we could enjoy the vending machines. We were set up nicely.

As we made our way back to the patient room, Colin acted brave, but he was holding on tight. He whispered to me that he was really scared. Then he told the doctor it didn't hurt at all and he really just needed a band-aid. She washed it off while I played nurse. Colin was tense as he waited for the verdict. Finally she announced, "I think a staple will fix it up."

He waited until she left the room to get her staples and then he lost it. NO STAPLES! He told me he was mad at me for bringing him there, he would never go back there again, I lied to him, he didn't like doctors, he was leaving, he just needed a band-aid and he was NOT going to have a staple.

The doctor returned and she was stunned by the scene.

Thankfully, she was a wise doctor. She got him to lay down so she could look at it again. We put ice on his head to numb it and finally she told him to count to three. Just before he said three, she stapled him. He said, "What was that?"

"A staple."

"That was it?!? That didn't hurt. I think I'll have some more ice!"

The doctor laughed and stapled him one more time. Colin jumped up and said, "I'm okay! I'm alright! That didn't hurt at all!"

Today he is at school showing off his shiny staples so everyone can see how brave he is.

Women of Faith
I attended the Women of Faith conference this weekend in Oklahoma City. Except for the famously cramped seating, it was a lovely weekend. For the most part, it was music and humor. Sandy Patti entertained us with a hilarious journey through her young musical career then sang the top off the Ford Center with her amazing voice. Kathy Troccoli took us back to the 70s, turning famous secular songs into songs for God. Thelma Wells buzzed around and tucked some nuggets of wisdom into her joyful take on life. Luci Swindoll pierced our hearts and made us wish we lived next door to her. Patsy Clairmont was a hoot. Nicole Johnson, Sheila Walsh and Marilyn Meberg inspired and tugged at our hearts. Chonda Pierce, the four-eyed blonde, made us laugh. (Chonda's Quote for the Day: “I want to live my life so that every morning when I wake up Satan says, “Oh, no! She’s awake!”)

The highlight of the weekend was a girl named Lisa. Lisa, who seems to be a hearing girl, possibly with Down's Syndrome, loves sign language and uses it freely to worship God. I noticed her within the first 5 minutes of the conference singing her heart out in the first row. I'm guessing she's about 5 feet tall, but she signs at least 7 feet high and she puts her whole body into it. She adores Sandi Patty and it was always her dream to sign with her one day. At a concert a few years ago, Sandi noticed her in the audience and called her to the stage. She has signed with Sandi from time to time since then, and she signed/sang this weekend on stage. Her enthusiasm, joy and total abandon were inspiring and touching. She signs the way Sandi sings, and the two of them together was almost more than one could bear. It was beautiful.

Whew!
This past week has been a whirlwind of activity. I'm ready for a nap! Here's a little summation:

Clean. Clean. Organize. Clean. Bake. Shop. Bake. Flop. Shop. Bake. Dust. Clean. Decorate. Welcome. Party. Photograph. Smile. Open. Thank. Chat. Snack. Change clocks. Sleep. Church. Cook. Clean. Welcome. Serve. Eat. Pray. Study. Pray. Chat. Homework. Sleep. Hurry. Shop. Photograph. Snack. Errands. Eat. Clean. Carpool. Flat tire. Create. Costume. Party. Trick or Treat. Party. Chat. Snack. Dance. Sleep. Eat. Study. Pray. New tire. Hydrangea. Study. Study. Study. Carpool. Cook. Play. Sleep. Cook. Chapel. Work. Lunch. Shoes. Clean. Carpool. Cook. Play. Sleep. Gift. Cook. Clean. Clean. Blog. Shop. Party. Scout. Guest. Dinner. Talk. Drive. Sleep. Meet. Eat. Blog.

Today's big event? Women of Faith Conference. I've never been and I'm looking forward to it.

Anyone else out there struggle with the time change? We got an extra hour, but I'm still tired. I'm not sure I understand what that is all about. I would probably get a bad case of jet lag if I ever went anywhere. Still, the beauty of the season is unparallelled. From this place at my desk I see leaves of yellow, green, orange and brilliant red. The sky is blue and the brown leaves are scraping around in the cool breeze. The purple pansies, yellow mums and orange pumpkins are still set off by green, green grass. The gently breeze cools while the sun warms. I just don't imagine it can get any better.

Today was Colin's Day. Seven.
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Yoda Lay He Hoo!

Yoda raps it up.
(Thanks to James Lileks)

Spencer as a Thunderbird.
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Colin dressed as a scientist for Halloween. He is wearing a lab coat and goggles made out of glow-in-the-dark sticks.
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Colin with his beloved.
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