Trick or Doggy "Treat"!

Happy Monday!!

Anniversary

I can't believe it's been one year since this.

When I'm old, wrinkled, and gray, that will undoubtedly be one of the few memories that I hold on to!

The Paradoxical Commandments

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.

Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.

Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow top dogs.

Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.

Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.

Give the world the best you have anyway.

by Dr. Kent M. Keith

It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Poet

Some almost Friday fun!

Trick or Treat give me something good to eat!

Tricks or Treats?

:)

I have to admit in the past few years I haven't really been into Halloween. Mainly, because I don't have kids and I don't usually enjoy dressing up. However this year, I'm a little more excited. Maybe because its a reason to do something fun, or more likely its because I cannot wait to dress Truman up in the hilarious costume I purchased. (Pictures to come) Since it's been awhile since I celebrated I found a little Halloween quiz to help me get more in the mood.
Let's play!


How much do you enjoy Halloween? I guess I'll let you know. I have really fond memories as a kid. My dad was always awesome about celebrating Halloween!

Do you think Halloween is too commercial these days? Do you miss the traditional costumes? I think all holidays are too commercial. I can't remember the last time I saw a ghost or astronaut. I think some of the homemade creativity has been lost too.

Do you give out candy? If yes, what kind? I plan on it. Most likely whatever is on sale. Any suggestions? I anticipate a lot of kids.

What has been your favorite costume? As a kid or adult? One year as kids Jim & I dressed up as a Pilgrim and an Indian, respectively . If I recall correctly we won a contest at the school parade. As an adult I bought a large green sweatsuit, filled it out and used make-up to give myself a black-eye. (Get it - black eyed pea)

When you were growing up what was the weather like during trick or treating? Did you ever have to wear a heavy coat over your costume? Yes, I remember being devastated about having to put a coat over my Cinderella dress and freezing another year dressed as a pair of dice which included black tights.

What was your favorite candy as a kid to get? The big Reese's peanut butter cups. There was one neighbor blocks away that always gave out full size candy bars. Halloween was not complete with out a visit to her house. Ironically, the lady next to her handed out apples...

Do you think Halloween costumes today are too provocative for kids and teens? YES!!! Again what's wrong with being a ghost or astronaut?

What is the first costume you remember ever wearing? The Indian costume in kindergarten. I know there were some before that. (Mom, any ideas?)

What are your Halloween plans this year since it falls on a Wednesday? My neighbor across the street turns his house into an unbelievable haunted mansion for all the neighborhood kids, so I'm in a pretty high traffic area. I plan on inviting a few people over and hand out candy.

I tag Jim, Sara, Angie, Jesse & Andrea!

What do ghost serve for dessert?

Ice Scream!


Happy Trick-or-Treating everyone!

Am I Beautiful?

beau·ty (byū'tē) n., pl. -ties.
1. The quality that gives pleasure to the mind or senses and is associated with such properties as harmony of form or color, excellence of artistry, truthfulness, and originality.

2. One that is beautiful, especially a beautiful woman.


As I mentioned in my last post, I am currently reading Captivating by John and Stasi Elderedge. A topic the authors touch on in the beginning of Chapter 3 is beauty and how the longing to feel beautiful or 'captivating' is something every woman struggles to achieve, whether through tangible means, like make-up, or a new hair color, or through discipline and self-improvement.

As I was reading I began to wonder, do I know any woman who could answer with complete confidence, "Yes, I am beautiful!" Not in a conceited manner, but with the stability of really knowing that she is beautiful spiritually. I think the answer is no, I do not know a woman who would say a 100% yes. If I am wrong, I would love to hear from you and be your friend!

Beauty has always been a battle for me. Until now I defined myself on what I looked like physically. Was my haircut stylish, was my clothing trendy, did my butt, thighs, etc look fat? And oh my word, the make-up consumption. I could open my own cosmetic counter at the store.

But lately, I've finally begun to look inward for my beauty and examine what I looked like in my heart. Its not beautiful. Not even pretty. I personally define beauty as pure, natural, unblemished. I certainly am not any of those things. Does that mean, I'll never be beautiful? I hope not.

The book points to the story of Eve in the bible. Eve was created in Gods own image (as we all are) and was considered beautiful not because she had physical attributes but because she was spiritually walking with God. Only when she ate the apple did she become aware of her flaws (nakedness). Therefore technically when we walk with God we should all feel beautiful. But I don't. And I think that is the ultimate sin of Eve. It was part of God's plan for us to believe we are beautiful. The bible loves women. Just read Song of Songs. Saucy! Eve took that away from woman. Now instead of cherishing what we were truly created for, we will always have a longing to be truly, naturally beautiful.

(When did we as women begin to define beauty as something commercial or cosmetically attainable? I applaud Dove for there real beauty campaign, but again it begins by addressing physical beauty. )

I guess my point is, that I want to challenge myself (and you) to change the way I define beauty. I want my answer to be "Yes I feel beautiful", but mean it from the heart not the face (or because my skinny jeans fit that day). I want to encourage every woman I meet to feel beautiful, and own that feeling. I want to walk with confidence and smile because my heart feels beautiful.

One last thought on the story of Eve. God was done with creation when he created Eve. He was walking with Adam in the garden when He noticed something was missing from His masterpiece. One final touch, or piece de resistance, was needed. And that was woman. Woman was the last beautiful detail needed to complete God's perfect plan for creation. That makes me feel good. Without the beauty of woman, God's work was incomplete! :)

Random Thoughts, Updates, and Blessings

So obviously my computer has been down. Turns out some neighborhood rodents had been snacking on my cable wire. After the nice Comcast repair man explained the situation, I turned to Truman and asked him why he was not patrolling the perimeter better, he looked back at me with an 'as if' expression and walked over to his down filled bed to lay down. Oh well, problem solved, and at least Truman's a good snuggler.

So now I'm sitting here thinking what to type or where to start.

In regards to my personal life, things haven't changed much. I haven't heard from or had any new "news".

But, I think that's okay. I'm okay. I've had a great week filled with uplifting activities and great friends.

I have missed my blogging friends and family. I see many of you have exciting news to report. Angie has hilarious stories and great pictures as always. Both Dusty and Craig had amazing posts regarding some subjects that I have really been struggling with.

I did not realize how dependant I am on my Internet. I am nourished by a lot of the blogs I read. I keep up with friends that I haven't seen in years. All my cooking recipes come from the Food Network! With all this free time I've had on my hands I was forced to do something I hadn't done since I started blogging.....read a book!

I began two that I highly recommend:

Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge and Finding God's Path Through Your Trials by Elizabeth George.

They are in fact so good that I am going to cut short this update to get back to reading Captivating. (I think every woman should read this book)

I'll leave you with some truths I have learned this week:

• I can see God's hand at work in my life everyday. The multitude of answered prayers in my life is overwhelming. I look forward to sharing them with you

• I am seeking to live the life He has called me to more fervently than I have ever done before.

• I am learning His truths in a deeper way than I ever thought I was able.

• I see relationships growing in areas I would have never chosen or expected, with great openings to share where my strength and joy is coming from.

• I care more deeply for others who are hurting, because I now know the hurt, the pain, the rejection.

• I can walk daily with confidence and security knowing that my path is guarded and chosen by Him.

I've missed you all :) Keep updating!

Back On-line!!!

Ohh internet how I've missed you!