Practicing Patience

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Picture of the Day 360

December 26th: Luke 2:21-52; Ezekiel 38-39; Isaiah 61

"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things."

-Henry Miller

Friday, December 25, 2009

Picture of the Day 359

December 25th: Luke 2:1-20; Ezekiel 37; Isaiah 60

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."

-Burton Hillis

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Picture of the Day 358

December Luke 1:57-80; Ezekiel 35-36; Isaiah 59

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."

-Mother Teresa

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

and to all a good night.

In light of the holiday spirit, and my adoration for the jack russell terrior, here's a fun little video for you to enjoy.

Riley ~~almost~~ looks just like little actor jack. But that plate of cookies wouldn't have even made it out of the dog house.

Too cute! Enjoy!

Picture of the Day 357

December 23rd: Luke 1:26-56; Ezekiel 34; Isaiah 58

"Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."

-Joseph Addison

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Picture of the Day 356

December 22nd: Luke 1:1-25; Ezekiel 33; Isaiah 57

"Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future."

-Paul Boese

Ten on Tuesday

It's Ten on Tuesday time! Christmas edition...

When do you put up and take down your Christmas decorations?
Decorations don't go up until after Thanksgiving. And they come down sometime before Easter. Generally sometime in February. What? I like to enjoy the decorations longer the a month out of the year.
What do you do to simplify the holiday season?This year, I did 90% of my Christmas shopping online. I simplified by not stressing myself out tryting to park, push my way through crowds, look for the gift that is sold out of everywhere, stand in line forever, or having to pull my hair out. I shopped in the comfort of my own home, even while wearing my pj's! Then as packages came in the mail, it's like I got gifts that I got to regift. So what that I didn't get to actually open each thing.
What do you do to remind yourself and your family what the Christmas season is all about?
During the hub-bub of the holiday season, I regularly have to take a step back and reflect and not get mixed in with the busy-ness of it all. Christmas is a time to celebrate Christ's birth, to remember that God's son manifested in physical form on earth and what His purpose here was. It's not about gifts and Santa and getting what you/I want. It's about time with family and those you love.
How do you spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Christmas Eve - Generally spent at work, at least most of the day. Maybe I'll go to the candlelight service at the church I grew up at, although this year they're having a 5pm service too... Tradition in the family is that we have Mexican food Christmas Eve, a tradition started by my maternal grandfather.
Christmas Day - Well, the last few years Dad has had to work during some part of Christmas Day, this year he does not. So in the recent past years we'll pull the DVDs out of the stockings and watch those until Dad is home/awake/off work. Since Dad has the day off, we'll open our gifts then drive down to my Aunt & Uncle's and spend the day with them (which we normally do the day after Christmas).
What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Can I be honest? I love the fact that we've continued the tradition of Mexican food on Christmas Eve. I love the fact that it's something that my Bompy started and that we continue. I love tamales, and that's normally the entree. I love that we tease Mom when she buys tamales from Costco and passes them off as homemade.
Did you do the whole Santa thing growing up? What do you like/not like about continuing the tradition?Yep, we sure did. And I still to this day swear I saw Santa's boots shoot up the chimney one Christmas when I was staying at my grandma and grandpa's while sleeping in the living room. No joke, I swear it happened. You know, I don't know if I'll continue the tradition. I kinda like the idea of using being good as a Santa bribe. Is that wrong of me? But obviously that won't be the real message that I teach my kids about Christmas and the meaning of the holiday. We still get a "Santa gift", being one that is the main gift or the big present from Mom and Dad. I'm a fan of the santa gifts.
What is your favorite Christmas cookie?
Let me rephrase that question... What isn't my favorite cookie? 'Nuff said.
How do you take your egg nog?
I don't. I'm not a fan of egg nog. But I like it used when making french toast. Try it sometime, instead of milk mixed with the eggs use egg not. Other than that, I steer clear of the stuff.
What is your favorite Christmas carol and why?
Silent Night. All verses. I love that song. Or Carol of the Bells by Mannheim Steamroller.
When was the last time you had a white Christmas?
Ummmm...I'm still waiting for one. Hello, I live in California at elevation 100 feet (maybe). We get snow that doesn't stick maybe once every 8 years. And I doubt, although God could make it happen, we'll ever get snow on Christmas day.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Picture of the Day 355

December 21st: Colossians 3:18-4:18; Ezekiel 31-32; Isaiah 56

"As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily."

-Adabella Radici

Motivation Monday - Idiocy

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Picture of the Day 354

December 20th: Colossians 2:20-3:17; Ezekiel 29-30; Isaiah 55

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

-Colossians 3:17

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Picture of the Day 353

December 19th: Colossians 1:24-2:19; Ezekiel 27-28; Isaiah 54

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Picture of the Day 352

December 18th: Colossians 1:1-23; Ezekiel 25-26; Isaiah 53

"Love is what you've been through with somebody."

-James Thurber, quoted in Life magazine, 1960

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Picture of the Day 351

December 17th: Philippians 4; Ezekiel 24; Isaiah 52

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

-Philippians 4:4

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Picture of the Day 350

December 16th: Philippians 3; Ezekiel 23; Isaiah 51

"Respect is love in plain clothes."

-Frankie Byrne

Barking Shorts

Many, many moons ago, sometime when I was in high school, I had a pair of boxers shorts. (Why are they called a pair? Because there are 2 leg holes? You can only really (if you're normal) wear one at a time. Unlike socks that you wear two of.) These were christmas boxers. With cartoonish dogs of all type with a winter wonderland backdrop.

The magic thing about these boxers... there was a little pouch inside the waist line that held a little voice box. And when you pushed the button on that little voice box, christmas songs were played by the barking and howling of... dogs.

So last night/this morning after Riley's first of 3 seizures, and me having to lock her inside to keep her from waking the neighborhood, she stood around in the living room barking.

And you know what I heard, her barking in the tune of jingle bells.

Then I remembered the boxers.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Picture of the Day 349

December 15th: Philippians 2:12-30; Ezekiel 21-22; Isaiah 50

"To give and then not feel that one has given is the very best of all ways of giving."

-Max Beerbohm

Ten on Tuesday

I'm sure you've noticed, there's been a slight lack of me blogging. Do not fret my pets, someday, one day, I'll get you caught up. I have about a dozen posts in draft form to remind me of what I need to post about.

In the meantime, I thought I'd jump on the Ten for Tuesday bandwagon. Why not answer some fun easy questions? If anything I answer spurs a question from you, feel free to ask me in the comments. :)

So here goes the 10 (actually 15) questions for this week...

If you could change anything about your physical appearance, what would it be?From my boobs to my butt, I'd like them minimized. Most preferrably in the belly area.
Is there a habit in others that you find annoying?
Yes! People that drive under the speed limit on a 2 lane road. People that chit chat personal stuff with sales associate while there is a line forming. People that decide it's ok to have a full out blow out via a cell phone conversation in public. I could go on...
What is your favorite recipe using ground beef?
Oh there are so many... But I'd probably say enchiladas. Yum!
What was your favorite book as a kid?
I was a huge fan of Paddington Bear. Remember him? He's was the cute little bear that wore the yellow rain outfit. So cute! In fact, I think I still have those books...
Did you work as a teenager and if so, where?
Hahahaha. Yes, I've been working for, oh about the last 24 years. I started catering when I was a wee lass. Imagine me with a little 5/6 year old voice while carrying a tray around saying, "Would you like a piece of sausage?" That was my job, I was the sausage passer-outter, and I was paid a whopping $5 a job. I know, big earner! So I catered all through my teenage years. Through most of high school, I worked at my Aunt's shop (Divine Bovine) that was Downtown Turlock (and no longer there).
Did you work in college and if so, where?
In college I worked for the alumni office for 3 years, catered big jobs on weekends (yep, I'd go home to earn an easy $75-100 bones), and would work for my aunt during holiday breaks. As well as summer jobs of working for my dad at the meat plant, then 2 summers of working for a local cannery checking on peach growers in the area.
When you go to sleep do you like total darkness or semi? When you go to sleep do you need quiet or is some noise ok?
Bedtime sleep: quiet darkness. Naptime rest: doesn't matter, if I'm tired I'll crash anywhere under any conditions.
When doing laundry, fabric softener or not?Not. Only because my mom never used it (that I know of) therefore, I don't know how to use it or what the point of it is.
Open toed or closed toed shoes?Summer - open - flip flops preferrably. Winter - closed - fUggs preferrably.
Would you rather be blind or deaf?
Oh dear... That's a tough one. Miss seeing God's magnificent creation or hearing the sounds of praise? I'm a visual person, so I guess I'd rather be deaf. I'm also a multitasker, so then I'd be able to walk and see where I'm going while ~~talking~~ signing.
Dangle or stud earrings?
Studs. Big sparkly ones. Or small dainty pearly ones. I'm not a fan of dangle earrings whipping me in the cheek or ear or getting caught in my hair.
Bottled water or tap?
I can't drink the tap water where I live, it's too cloudy. So I use a Brita. I love my Brita because I love water. Seriously, I drink it like it's going out of style. Of the bottled water category, I'm picky. I can tell if it's been filtered water vs. spring water. Seriously, Aquafina and Dansani, blah! Fuji or Crystal Geyser, yum!
What do you put on pancakes?
Lightly buttered and lots of maple syrup! Waffles don't fall into the pancake category, they get totally different toppings. Same with french toast.
On a long trip would you rather drive or fly?
I would say it depends. Where am I going? I love long car rides and road trips just as long as I have company in the car. Just ask Rylen, but don't ask her about Nebraska unless you want her to wet her pants while reminiscing and laughing. I do love flying as well though. Drive to Hawaii, not an option. I grew up with parents that owned a motorhome, so we took many a long haul road trips. And I love my memories and experiences from that. So, yea, it depends.
Do you prefer classic old movies or new?
Some classics, but mostly new. Or newer classics. Like the remake of Little Rascals. Love that movie! I got a dollar, I got a dollar, I got a dollar hey hey hey hey!