The Straight and Narrow Path

Or... not straight... and, well, not narrow. But it's still a path! And I love it!

Starting with Easter weekend... (Shush, I know that was like 2+ months ago!)

Coleman was my key superstar helper! He rocked!
Good job guys! Keep up the good work! Thanks Chris for all your help!Paige did come out and help a little later. She helped move things along.

Continuing on the following weekend. This time I recruited help. I'm truly blessed with great friends and family.

Rockin' brick chippers! Reusing bricks = save $$$. Reusing bricks = extra work to make them usable.
Notice the driveway back there?Thomas did some sort of Irish jig to stomp the bricks down and get the quick set cement stuff to settle.And now I have my path...
It's not perfect. But I love it! I love that we did it. With our own bare hands. And saved money while we were at it.

Doesn't it just help complete the house and give it some curb appeal? Yea, I thought so too.

Picture of the Day 162

June 11th: Romans 15:14-33; 1 Samuel 29-31; Psalm 71

"A mother understands what a child does not say."
-Jewish Proverb

Drive: Before and After

Remember this driveway? Yea, the one with the car parked in it. That's the one. Try to focus on what's under the car.
Then it turned into this. Are area lined with bricks. Almost like a landing strip minus the lights. And airplanes. You won't find any of those here.
And now we have this. A lined driveway with cement chunks or "pavers".
Now I just have to keep it watered so the grass will continue to grow around the paver chunks.

And that is my driveway. Another item checked off the list!

Remember Me?

Yea, I'm the face behind the camera a majority of the time. I'm the one you never see anymore. I'm the one who fills you in on what's going on in her life and tries to be funny while doing it.

I'm the one that got herself a little dolled up before going out to dinner last Friday!
(Please note, my hair looks slightly red-ish. It's not.)
But really this is how I looked. Cause I was lazy and wore my glasses because my eyes were bugging me. It still works I suppose...

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June 10th: Romans 15:1-13; 1 Samuel 27-28; Psalm 70

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
-Romans 15:13

2009 Zinfest

May 16th was the annual Zinfest in Lodi. And because I'm this new wine connoisseur, and it was local and fairly inexpensive, I had to go. Plus it wasn't my idea, it was Mitch's. And Thomas and Katie were on board to go. And then I convinced my co-worker Devon to join us because she's trying to do more things outside her comfort zone. So we went. And it was hot. I think that weekend it hit 105F or so in the valley, and we were outside during the peak of it.

Katie, photo op! Katie is all for the photo ops.
Devon, having a ball. Trying new wines. Enjoying the sights. Being pet by Katie. It's all good!
Mitch and Thomas. I think they were watching Katie be silly. Or maybe they were thinking of a nice cold beer. We were about wined out by this time.
And here's our silly Katie. I believe she was trying to replicate the face of the real picture.
Close, yea?All in all, a great time! The wines were for the most part good, some better than others. The company, well, couldn't ask for better. I'd definitely go again next year.

I would just pray for comfortable temperatures first.

Coming Friday...

This Friday I'm gonna do another Q&A session.

Not to be confused with QA, the department in which I work.

So you curious about something? Dying to know about something else? Always wondered what, where, who, when, why?

Well ask away! The sky's the limit.

Krista, I've got the questions you emailed me some time ago. :)

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June 9th: Romans 14;1 Samuel 26; Psalm 69

The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness.
-1 Samuel 26:23

Fifty Years of Math (in the USA)

Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I went digging for change and pulled out 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me 2 quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried.

Why do I tell you this? Because of the evolution in math since the 1950's:

1. Teaching Math in 1950s: A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?

2. Teaching Math in 1960s:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

3. Teaching Math in 1970s:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

4. Teaching Math in 1980s:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

5. Teaching Math in 1990s:
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok.)

6. Math in 2009:
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

Picture of the Day 159

June 8th: Romans 13; 1 Samuel 25; Psalm 68

But may the righteous be glad
and rejoice before God;
may they be happy and joyful.
-Psalm 68:3

Motivation Monday - Fear

May Updates!

1. Run (not walk) a 5k race.
   05 - Ummm... I admit it. I SUCK! Besides moving the massive pile of bricks from my backyard I did nothing.
   04 - HA! Well, I maybe went on a couple walky-jogs. I've yet to sign up to race in anything. Need more training!
   03 - Definitely went walk/jogging more often in March. Oh, and crunches, I've done some crunches!
   02 - I've gone walking a few more times than I did in January. That's progress!
   01 - So, ah, I've gone walking once or twice. That's a start!
   
2. Read the Bible in a year.
   05 - Keepin' up! Finished reading through Judges, Job, Ruth, Acts, and Joshua.
   04 - Still goin'! Finished Matthew, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
   03 - On track! In March I've finished reading though Leviticus, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
   02 - I'm doing just dandy with this. I've completely read through Genesis, Exodus, and Hebrews. I'm almost done with Leviticus and Proverbs.
   01 - So far, so good!
   
3. Lose 10 pounds.
   05 - Broke even...
   04 - I warn you, I wasn't down. I kinda slipped. See chart below... (Shown is March and April)
   03 -Down 1 pound. Hey, it's a loss! See chart below...
   02 - 5.5 pounds down...from returning cruise weight...
   01 - So what if I told you that I was down 9 pounds by my own scale in just January alone? Yep, it's true. Wanna see my chart? Of course you do!
   
4. Post a picture a day...taken on that day... instead of a quote a day.
   05 - Yep. A picture is going up each day. Sometimes there are lags between days due to intermittent internet.
   04 - Still not a picture from that day, but posting pictures from within the time frame of the date. Flowers are in bloom and beautiful, plus they're easy subjects, so I've taken a lot of flower pictures.
   03 - Still not doing the best on the picture being from that day, but whatever, I'm posting a picture a day.
   02 - After the cruise I slacked on taking a picture a day. But I was still posting a picture a day. I'll work on that...
   01 - Ok, so I've slacked a few days. But I get caught up!
   
5. Have monthly dinner party, or at least invite some friends over for dinner.
   05 - Boo! I've had my family over. But I did gather friends for my birthday dinner!...at BJ's...
   04 - Well, I had people over, wait no that was May 1st. Ah! Yes, I had a lunch buffet sandwich building business thing for those giving souls that helped work on my path. (I still need to share my path don't I?)
   03 - Woot woot! Hosted TND on the 5th Tuesday. Total about 15 people came. I made this for dinner. It was good! Making a vow to have people over more often.
   02 - The last couple weeks I've had my family over for dinner on Friday nights. And I've volunteered to have TND at my house the 5th Tuesday of March. I'll let you know how that goes.
   01 - I failed for January. February isn't over yet though...
   
6. Down size possessions...aka clutter
   05 - I rearranged my back room. Now when looking in it looks less cluttered. That counts, right?
   04 - Decided that my back room needs to be cleaned out and rearranged, especially the closet. So that is going to be my project for May.
   03 - Sure...? I actually physically removed the bags of stuff to get rid of. So I guess that counts since it was cluttering up my room.
   02 - I rearranged the living/dining room and went though some more of my closet.
   01 - I've gone through my closet and through my pile of purses.
   
7. Try new recipes from the cookbooks I have. (see #5, they will be guinea pigs...)
   05 - New recipes tried for Memorial BBQ. One recipe is posted on my recipe site, the others will come shortly.
   04 - Sure I've made stuff. What have I made...? Cake pops, I made cake pops!
   03 - Family = guinea pigs. Poor family...
   02 - Ummmm... I haven't tried anything new. But I've tried new things that my mom has made. Does that count...?
   01 - Boo me! How does cereal sound? Mac & Cheese...?
   
8. Exercise a minimum of 3 times a week (walk/jog, Wii Fit, DVD, etc., see #1 which will lead to #3)
   05 - Boo...
   04 - See #1. I really need to start doing something, anything.
   03 - Need to make a REAL commitment to do this on a regular basis. Once the habit is made I'll be in good shape. The time change has really kicked my butt though, I get home and I just want to be lazy.
   02 - Boo! I'm still on the once a week average. Time to kick it into gear!
   01 - I've averaging about once a week of exercising on purpose. But I do activities that include activity.
   
9. Daily make time for God.
   05 - Will be a continuous work in progress for the rest of my life.
   04 - Prayer, reading, bible study, church, worship, etc. I do it all, but I'm still lacking. I'm by no means perfect.
   03 - If you count my daily readings as time spent with God then I'm doing well. Although it's not always necessarily quality time though...
   02 - There is always room for improvement here. But I'm human and I'm trying. I pray more regularly and I'm in the Word daily. That's definitely moving in the right direction.
   01 - Doing well. Spending lots of time in prayer. I'm not even kidding.
   
10. Travel somewhere new.
    05 - Traveled to ummm, the big town of Lodi. For the Zinfest. I had never been to that part of Lodi before, so it was new, therefore I traveled somewhere new. Go me!
    04 - I went to my favoritest place in California, back to where I went to college, San Luis Obispo. Although it was a quick day trip, it was well worth it. I saw family, I drank wine, I ate at Firestone's and walked around downtown, and went to Pismo. I need to go back again, but next time for a little longer.
    03 - Currently there are no travel plans and I don't like that! I need to plan something asap to make me feel human again!
    02 - Um, did I go anywhere in February? I don't think so. But that's ok!
    01 - Just got back from a cruise to Cabo about a week and a half ago.
    

Picture of the Day 158

June 7th: Romans 12; 1 Samuel 23-24; Psalm 67

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
-Romans 12:12-13

Wine Bottle Plant Nanny

This is a pretty cool invention. It's like that infomercial for the bubble waterer thingy, but it's using a wine bottle. So it's recycling.

Although, I could prove how big of a wino you truly are. I truly am.

To get or not to get...

Picture of the Day 157

June 6th: Romans 11:25-36; 1 Samuel 21-22; Psalm 66

Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
-Psalm 66:20

Up

Have you ever wanted to tie a bunch of balloons to a chair and see if they'll lift you? Ever wonder how far you'd go? Do you have a destination in mind?

Go see Up!

Disney/Pixar rocks! They've out done themselves again. It's such a cute movie with a good story.

My favorite character...Dug. Squirrel! Point!

4.5 out of 5 stars!

Merry Birthday to Me!

May 15th marked the day that I celebrated my birthday with hordes of friends. Like this lovely couple, Jenn and Anthony. You may remember that I was in their wedding a year ago.
Kaitlin, as she said, "This is me making a face for how old you are... maybe you should act your age and I won't need to make faces... no, I'll still make faces. :P"
Hey, at least I got 2 thumbs up from Genelle for it being my birthday. Or maybe it was because we were finally being seated after an almost 2 hour wait.
Note to self, when meeting a group over 10 people at BJ's for dinner, call and make reservations at least 24 hours in advance.

George, drinking his pitcher for 1. At least it was good beer!
Katie and George. Wooooo! Notice Thomas' Reno 911 'stach.
People at that end of the table. Scott, Dan, Krista, Stacey, Jenn, Anthony.
Yummy! Tangerine Tango. Yes please! (Kaitlin's gotta grab my iphone every chance she gets, which is a lot, to play games.)
Required Stacey/Courtney self photo.
Somebody said something about my Pazookie (free for the birthday girl!), I yelled "Hey". Can you see it, that I yelled hey?
Kaite! That's George's pitcher of beer for 1.
And tada! That was my birthday dinner.

I recommend to everyone to try the shrimp pasta with creamy chardonnay sauce. And the Blue Topaz martini. And the Tangerine Tango martini. And if you're brave, get the pitcher for 1.

Mosaic Maker

I stumbled upon a really cool site. It's called Mosaic Maker. And this is what it does...
I've always wondered how those photoshop gurus do things like this to their pictures. And I still want to know how. But in the mean time...

I'll cheat!

There are other layout options. I suggest you pop over to the Mosaic Maker and check it out!

Have fun!

**OH NO! The picture isn't working! Imagine 1 large pic in the middle surrounded by 12 pictures. I'll work on it when I get home and get it back up. Doh!**

Fixed it!

Picture of the Day 156

Believe it or not, this picture was taken around 10:30 pm.
June 5th: Romans 11:1-24; 1 Samuel 20; Psalm 65

"Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos."
-Don Kardong

Picture of the Day 155

June 4th: Romans 9:30-10:21; 1 Samuel 19; Psalm 64

"A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition."
-William Arthur Ward

5 Steps to Running a Marathon for a Couch Potato

aka: ME!

Not only did I stumble upon this site somewhere on the web (can't remember), but my sister also sent me the link. Geez!

So 5 steps, eh?

Step 1: Drop the "jogging myth"
Jogging does count as running! Jogging is running!

Step 2: Slow down
Run (jog) at a comfortable pace so you don't get tired. This will help reduce the lactic acid build up in your muscles that causes soreness.

Step 3: Listen to your body
You want to maintain a certain heart rate. So pay attention to your breathing. Listen to your heart. How's your vision?

Step 4: Become a fat burner, not a sugar burner
You want to burn fat, slowly. Sugar burns up quickly. Imagine lighting a match, sugar is the head that flares up then dies. Fat is more like burning coal, slowly. Become a fat burner by consuming more good fats and less sugar.

Step 5: Believe!
If you truly believe you can do it, you will!

So who's ready to run a marathon???

Ok, maybe a 5k...?

Picture of the Day 154

June 3rd: Romans 9:1-29; 1 Samuel 17:55-18:30; Psalm 63

Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
-Psalm 63:3-4

Puppy for Sale, Only 50 Cents

Wow! We've officially had this little guy for 2 weeks now!
So here's the story. It was a Monday and I was driving home from Turlock. I was in a hurry so I could finish reading my bible study lesson before everyone showed up in an hour. While getting ready to pass Hilmar Cheese a little fuzz ball crossed Lander looking very scared and panicked. I kept driving. I called Kaitlin. She said that maybe it's so and so's little poodle that got loose. Guilt kicked in. So I turned around.
I found the little guy, hiding under some desks that are being stored (?) outside. He came right to me. So we walked to the security guard to see if they could call animal control to come get him. Well, being as it was after 5pm and since all 5 pounds of him weren't a threat they weren't coming. Ok, so I'll take him home for the night, go to the vet in the morning to see if he's chipped and go from there.
After feeding, watering, and bathing him at my place, with minutes to spare before bible study, they (Kaitlin, Chris, and Colleen) took him across the street. I feared that our dogs would make a squeaky toy out of him. Which they didn't. When I went over after 9pm they were all playing. Hallelujah! Chris kept him overnight.

Vet: no microchip. No signage around town. No missing puppy cries. No sign of missing pet anywhere. Possession is 9/10 of the law, right? So he, Hobie, has a home. No, he's not with me. I'm not ready to replace Izzie yet. He is Chris and Colleen's dog, that lives with my parents and will move out when Chris does.
So there you have it. There is a new, lovable fuzz ball in our lives. He's still very much a puppy, with puppy teeth but without puppy breath.

And don't worry, we only picked about 267 fleas off the little guy. I think they're all gone now!

Picture of the Day 153

...and 3! Tada!
My favorite flower!

June 2nd: Romans 8; 1 Samuel 17:1-54; Psalm 62

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-Romans 8:38-39
(singing it like I used to at camp...ah ah ah)

My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
-Psalm 62:1

Fridge Door

Allie tagged me! So I must oblige. Here's how it works...you take a picture of your fridge door and you talk about what's on it. Then tag 2 people to do the same...so... I tag Friend A (who ever wants to) and Friend B (second person that wants to).

This is my refrigerator. It is black. It is full of quick to make, processed foods. I need to make it full of healthy things. But then they go bad.
Let's take a closer look shall we. The top... Well, as you can see it's random. There's no rhyme or reason. Since things aren't in order, I won't be describing in order. How would I even explain the order of my explaination? I have a couple magnets with measurement converters, cause 1 is never enough. There is a picture of my bible study group from Christmas time. My grocery shopping list pad. A list of stuff I need/want from IKEA. A postcard from Canada behind the IKEA list. My Compassion International sponsor child, Gabriella. A note from Kaitlin. A magnet that looks like Oscar, that everytime Coleman comes over he flips it over and cries "poor Oscar". A picture of Lake Tahoe I took a couple years ago. Some angel ornament. A funny sign that my dog flunked out of obident school. Some other random magnets. And my CA Grown sticker.
Now for the bottom. Some postcard notes from WW from when I've done good. Another note from Kaitlin. A picture of Akaka Falls from the first time I went to Hawaii. An "Uff Da Happens" bumper sticker. And a list of stuff that still needs to be done on the house.
That about does it. It's nothing exciting. But now, looking at it, it's cluttered. Maybe I should clean it.

Nah. I've got more important things to do first.

Picture of the Day 152

...2...
June 1st: Romans 7; 1 Samuel 16; Psalm 61

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
-1 Samuel 16:7

Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
-Psalm 61:1

Transformers

That's the first one, not number 2. Yes, I'm a little behind. I finally saw the first Transformers. Why did it take so long, you ask? I really don't know. But I figured I better see this one before the next one is in theaters. Cause I already know that a group is going to see it. And, well, I don't want to be lost or behind and have to ask questions throughout the movie. I don't like having to ask questions throughout the movie.

So I finally saw it. And I don't know why I waited. I wish I would have seen it in the theater. It was a great movie! And it was clean. I think the little robot guy said "oh shit", but then again, maybe it was "oopsie". Kait and I couldn't tell. But that was really the only "swearing" in the movie.

So, if you haven't seen Transformers. Go (rent) see it. When the second one comes out in a couple weeks, go (to the theater) see it.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Motivation Monday - Beauty