New Hairstyle

I'm about 6 months overdue for a haircut, which translates into . . . MY HAIR IS OUT-OF-CONTROL!!! I have a wonderful stylist and trust her completely, but I always like to have some idea of what I want when I go see her. Here are some of the ones I'm considering:

#1 - - - Swoosie Kurtz

#2 - - - Brittany Daniel

#3 - - - Katie Holmes

#4 - - - Frances Fisher

#5 - - - Ellen Degeneres

#6 - - - Lisa Rinna

#7 - - - Mariska Hargitay

#8 - - - Josie Bissett

Help a Sister out & vote below:

Thanks bunches!

Take the Challenge

An old friend of mine, Kati, from my Marietta Baptist Camp days posted this on her blog and I took the challenge. Will you take the challenge with me?

In a few days, we will be stuffing ourselves with turkey, dressing, and pecan pie. Every year I tell myself . . . "Next year I am going to make a list of the things that I am thankful for." Every year I wonder why I didn't make a list of things to thank God for blessing me with. Perhaps it is because I am afraid that I will leave something out. Or maybe, I don't create a list because I am embarrassed of the things that I am thankful for (dark chocolate would definitely be on the list). Most likely, I resist making a list of things that I am thankful for because it would take away many of my reasons to do one of the most natural human things . . . complain!

Do you ever find yourself complaining about the economy, gas prices, the OTHER political party, grocery prices . . . the list can go on and on until it gets personal. Oh, yes, we seem to complain about our spouses, the kids, being too busy, being bored, and my favorite choice of complaint, being tired! The list goes on and on. And yet, I am more blessed than I ever deserve. It is only by the undeserving mercy of Christ that I have the things that I do and that I have the opportunity to enjoy the simplest things in life, including dark chocolate.

God's Word tells us this:

"But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been greed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." ~Romans 6:17-18

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods." ~Psalm 95:2-3

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O most High..." ~Psalm 92:1

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God." ~Philippians 4:6

"I shall wash my hands in innocence, and I will go about Thine altar, O Lord, that I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and declare all Thy wonders." ~Psalm 26:6-7

It is clear that we should be giving thanks and not complaining. So here is the challenge to myself and to you: between now and Thanksgiving, make a list of at least 100 things that you are thankful for. Simple, yes. I imagine that if we all attempt it, we will find that we will quickly surpass 100 and be well on our way to several hundreds of things that we can be thankful for. Don't get too worried about whether something is "important" enough to be included. Number 1 on my list is salvation, next will be my husband, children, and family. I will name each one. But, I am sure, the simple pleasure of dark chocolate will also be on my list, as well as, birds singing, sunrises, and cell phones. Do you see where this may lead? We may have so many things to be thankful for that we forget how to complain . . . or at least make it not the first reaction in our life! My hope is that I will be so busy giving thanks to God, that I will notice fewer things for my complaining.

So, get your lists started! I would love to see what is on your list. You may add your list to the comments section on the blog, email them to me, or post them on facebook. Look out for my list . . . I have already started it! I hope the bug of giving thanks spreads!

Take the challenge! Give thanks!

Here is the beginning of my list:

1. My salvation.
2. The Bible.
3. My parents.
4. Jeff - my brother.
5. Little Man/Bubby - my nephew.
6. Candice - my brother's girlfriend & the little sister I never had.
7. Lizzy - the best 'sister with fur.'
8. Precious - the best 'niece with fur.'
9. The time spent with my Daddy in the last months of his life. It is rare that a working person is given the opportunity to "work when you can and want to" so that they can care for a dying parent. I am forever grateful for being given that opportunity.
10. Having a close relationship with my grandmother for almost 30 years of my life.
11. Bubba & Shell (not their real names; it's just what we call them).
12. Crystal.
13. Jeannie.
14. Finding a wonderful church (Marathon - Greenville Campus) after so many years of not going.
15. All of my Home/Life Group girls - - - Claire, Melody, Nancy, Phyllis, Mary, B.J., Kim, Kellie, Kristy, and Norma.
16. A place to live.
17. Heat & air conditioning.
18. Running water.
19. Food in the fridge, freezer & cabinets.
20. True friends. I have come to realize over the years that people use the word "friend" very loosely and that you never know who your real, true friends are until you face a crisis in your life. For those true friends (and you know who you are), THANK YOU for always being there for me - through the good, the bad & the in-between.
21. Black & white photos.
22. Praise & Worship music.
23. Country music.
24. Warm, fuzzy socks.
25. Books.
26. Cool, crisp Autumn days.
27. Computers (I know, I know . . . but, I really am thankful for the invention).
28. Handwritten letters & cards via snail mail. In my opinion, this is a dying art, but I love receiving mail that doesn't involve bills or junk. I also love sending cards and letters. I'm affectionately known to some as 'the card lady.'
29. Laughter.
30. Coffee.
31. My health.
32. Living in a country where I can worship, speak & live freely. We are so blessed to live in the United States of America!
33. Kids/family movies.
34. Drawings, coloring pictures, etc. from my nephew.
35. Memories.
36. Quotes (I have a little 'addiction' to quotes, but I just love them & am thankful that I can post them in places to encourage me during the day & share them with others at various times in their lives.)
37. Candles.
38. My job.
39. Pastor Reggie & his wife, Ginger - for being dedicated to using their talents for God's glory.
40. Kenny & his wife, Melissa - for being dedicated to using their talents for God's glory.
41. Wil, Heather & the band - for being dedicated to using their talents for God's glory.
42. Hugs.
43. Long walks on a Fall day.
44. 
    

More of My Bucket List

After posting My Bucket List yesterday, I started thinking about other things I'd like to do, so I started jotting them down and I have quite an addition to the original list. So, I figured I'd go ahead and post everything while I still had it on the brain. I guess some of these things you would call 'goals' more than you would 'things I want to do before I die,' but either way . . . they're things I want to do. I'm not going to mess with trying to find pictures to post with each one because it will take FOREVER! But, here goes:

• Own a home
• Get out of debt & stay that way
• Lose weight
• Learn another language - probably French or German
• Exercise regularly
• Go on a cruise (even though I have a huge fear of deep water)
• Learn to knit/crochet
• Learn to sew
• Take a road trip with friends
• Take cooking classes
• Learn how to paint
• Read at least 50 books every year
• Write a letter and/or send a card to someone at least once a week
• Take Bubby (and the rest of the family) to Orlando to visit Disney World, Sea World, MGM Studios, Universal Studios, Epcot Center, etc.
• Have a Spa Day with friends
• Keep a daily journal/blog
• Do "random acts of kindness" weekly
• Attend the Olympics
• Take a first aid & CPR class
• Visit every lighthouse in North America (there are approximately 700)
• Graduate from college
• Meet someone famous
• Go on an African safari
• Teach someone to read & write
• Experience a true "White Christmas"
• Participate in a Book Club
• See another show on Broadway
• Research my family heritage/ancestry
• Play the lottery
• Give a speech or presentation and not be fearful
• Travel by train
• Start and/or work for a non-profit/charity
• Learn to dance
• Have a complete makeover
• Learn to drive a stick-shift
• Own a convertible (a Mustang would do)
• Attend the World Series
• Sing karaoke
• Fall in love
• Attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans
• Attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
• Visit all 50 states
• See the Grand Canyon
• Visit Memphis
• Go to the Grand Ole Opry
• Get my Bachelors degree
• Attend the Super Bowl
• Celebrate New Years at Times Square
• Attend a taping of "Ellen"
• Spend Christmas in New York

I'm sure that I will think of other things from time to time and will update my list. Don't forget to comment & let me know if you have a list so that I can check yours out.

Have a GREAT day!

My Bucket List

I've actually seen this idea on a few memes, but have also seen it as a random post on various blogs. I FINALLY got around to watching the movie over the weekend and it was FABULOUS! I'm a huge fan of both Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman and neither of them disappointed in this movie. There were plenty of laughs throughout the movie, but there were some very tender & emotional moments, as well. I will admit that it was hard for me to watch portions of this movie because it was a reminder of my daddy's battle with cancer. Jack Nicholson's character reminded me sooooo much of my daddy. With all of that said, the bottom line . . . I give it 5 STARS!!!

I've been working on this "Bucket List" for a while and have gotten to a plateau in my thoughts, so I figured I'd go ahead and post it in 'honor' of finally watching the movie. I may add to it from time to time, but this covers the most important items on my list. Here is my list (in no particular order):

TRAVEL TO GREECE

TRAVEL TO ITALY

TRAVEL TO IRELAND

TRAVEL TO HAWAII

TRAVEL TO ALASKA



TRAVEL TO LAS VEGAS



TRAVEL BACK TO NEW YORK CITY

GO TO A TAPING OF "THE DR. PHIL SHOW"



SEE THESE PEOPLE IN CONCERT . . .

Josh Groban

Kenny Chesney

Sugarland

Michael Buble

Carrie Underwood

SWIM WITH DOLPHINS

GO TO A NASCAR RACE

OWN A GREAT DANE

AND HAVE ANOTHER LABRADOR RETRIEVER

TAKE PHOTOGRAPHY LESSONS

GO BACK & TAKE PIANO LESSONS

GET MARRIED

HAVE CHILDREN

READ THE BIBLE ALL THE WAY THROUGH

So, what's on your "Bucket List?" If you post a list, leave a comment so I can check yours out.

Love,