Boy aren't I a rocket scientist?  Well, not really.  Just extremely bad about posting.  I'm still undecided about whether I'm moving my blog or not.  Or if I just want to permanently archive what's already here and start over.

I'd really like to just add pictures and crafts on a regular basis.  Just do it!  Right?

We got new phones.  I broke down and bought us all iPhones.  It was an expensive investment in a phone for two years but I think in the long run, it will help me with several goals.

I downloaded an app called My Net Diary that lets me put in what I've eaten with the nutritional information.  I put in what I currently weight and what my goal is.  It computes the calorie intake a day and then adds as I eat/munch during the day.

I'm horrid about munching.  And it's mindless.  It's got to stop.  I was reading a devotional I get and saw a wonderful idea.  When I find myself ready to eat mindlessly, open my Bible instead.  Feed myself with the word of God rather than calorie filled food.

I've also downloaded three or four photo apps.  Instagram, Hipstamatic, Magic Hour, and CamWow.  I will probably get rid of CamWow.  I think I much prefer the square format of the other three.  :)

I made a small accordion fold book today.  I'm going to start printing some of these little square prints and actually scrap them.  Yes, with real paper and glue and ink.

I'm off to bed.  Niters!

I haven't been here in a while as you can see.  I am not on any creative teams for digi-scrapping right now.  I so need to take my computer in for repairs.  Both the usb ports on the right side are messed up. I've gotten a memory error and a display error in last couple months.  Of course, I'm over due for a backup and for a defrag. But it has been virus scanned thank goodness. :)

I am thinking about starting a new blog.  This one has been around a while.  I'm thinking photo blog?  Art journaling?  Digiscrapping?  Who knows.  Just feel like it's time for a change.

School starts back up for the kids on Monday.  Breezy is a Junior in high school and Chaz is a Freshman in college.  Hard to believe we're at that point!

I'm headed to bed soon.  Another early morning so I can get to SHO for training.  Niters!

I forgot.  I updated my graphics with a new set from Cutest Blog on the Block.  I may leave it this way for a while.  I really like these colors.

Pondering...

I'm been thinking on the things I'd like to accomplish in 2010. Not resolutions. Resolutions are broken so often. I'm talking about goals. I have several on my mind right now.

First, I want to get into college. I did the financial aid paperwork online a couple weeks ago. I prepared my application for the local university but have not submitted it yet. There are so many questions I have and until today I didn't really know where to go. I'm going to go the university this week and see an adviser about where to start.

Second, photography. I want to continue taking hundreds of pictures. Pictures of cats and trees, birds and window frames, adults and children, whatever comes my way that looks interesting. I'd like to be paid for the time I spend taking pictures. I often feel the pictures I take aren't good enough but lately, I'm happier with what I see.

The third goes along with the second. I wish to be fluent in PhotoShop and PhotoShop Elements. All the geeky little add-ons, filters, patterns, brushes, layers, those I want to use with an artistic eye.

Fourth, is to continue something I started this year but lost focus on. I want to continue to lose weight. I need to do this for my health, for my children, and for our future. I can do this. God is bigger than what I see here. He's bigger than this addiction to food I've had for most of my life. I can do this with his help.

Which leads to the Fifth. I want to run a 5K in 2010. Run. Not walk. No set date. Just in 2010. I've walked many 5K's in the past (mostly 1990's). It's time.

Sixth, I wish to be a better influence for my children. Is all that I do helping them? Am I walking the walk or just talking the talk? In order to lead my household by example, I have to be on the right page. Not the easy page. I've spent too many years on the easy page.

Seventh, HTML/CSS. I wanna remember HTML and learn CSS. It's time to build web pages again. Or at least my own blog layout.

Lastly, but definitely not last, where do I stand when it comes to God? There are days I feel so far away. This was a year of changes for us as a family and for me personally with God. I stayed angry most of the year at God and not particularly happy with my church family. The move we made in September to a different campus did wonders for my attitude and my growth. But I want to grow closer to God. Quiet time and devotion time have to be included in my schedule to make this happen. I have time for everything else. Why do I have so much difficulty putting time for God in there?

ohhhh

I like this layout. All I need to do is make a title header to replace the text header.

I'm sitting outside the church waiting for everyone to get here for practice and finish preparing for the Christmas program. I'm getting a better signal sitting outside than I do when I'm inside. *grimace*

One more week of school. I have to say I'm totally ready for it. I hope and pray God opens a door for me to be somewhere else come August of next year. Breezy will be finished at the school in high school. Chaz is already there. It's time for a change.

Still need to finish Christmas shopping. I returned the shirt I got for Chaz while in Alabama. I'm going to order him a replica Alabama jersey for his big gift. Still not sure what Breezy's big gift will be. She hasn't given me any clues. Go figure.

Anyway, I'm still alive and kicking. On Twitter and Facebook more often. I use text messages to update Twitter which updates my Facebook account. That way I don't need to be logged in as much and can just use my phone. Good idea huh?

Oh yeah, I got my 1099R from the military today so I'm 1/4 of the way ready to do my taxes!

Twitter

Added a twitter feeder box to the right side. At least I can post updates from my phone via text messaging now. :o)

Found via Cyn at Kaleidoscope. (Then I took some more of the test on that site.)

Your Thinking is Concrete and Random

You are naturally inquisitive and curious. You're excited by new ideas, and you are a true independent thinker. You are interested in what is possible. You like the process of discovery. You are often experimenting, challenging old ideas, and inventing new concepts. Rules, restrictions, and limit don't really work for you. You have to do things your own way, and you can't be bothered to explain yourself.

What Kind of Thinker Are You?

Amazingly accurate considering there are only 5 questions.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Your Heart is Blue and Purple

Your heart is enticing and enchanting. You are charismatic, larger than life, and fascinating. You bring fantasy and romance to relationships. You're good at making someone ordinary seem extraordinary.

What Are the Colors of Your Heart?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You Are a German Shepherd Puppy

Intelligent, quick witted, and a bit aggressive. You've got the jaw power to take a bite out of anyone you choose.

What Breed of Puppy Are You?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You Are a Good Friend Because You're Supportive

You are almost like a life coach for your best friends. You give them help when they need it... but you also know when to give them a push. People tend to rely on you for moral support and advice. You've probably always been mature for your age, so this is a role that's you're comfortable with. A friend like you is one of the rarest kinds. You are both a good mentor and companion. Your friends need you most when: They are confused or worried You really can't be friends with: Someone who only wants to complain Your friendship quote: "The only way to have a friend is to be one."

What Makes You a Good Friend?

prayer and stuff....

Hostrocket is the bomb-diggity. I couldn't get into my heartrunes account over there and they did a great job of getting me hooked back up with it and it took very little time. So I'll be updating my about me page soon (about time).

Please be in prayer for my brother. He recieved orders to Iraq. He's supposed to leave on 31 March for training and then to Iraq. He's supposed to be gone for 311 days total. His significant other is not taking it well. She is talking possibly moving back to this area. If he picks up warrant officer in February he won't go. Otherwise, he'll be doing counter IED work. I don't understand this as he's a cryppie.

Thanks.

testing

new things. Just signed up for MyBlogLog. I'll see what that's all about.

Past time for me to update my about me page. I'm 4 years older than it says. Ooops! Just have to find somewhere to host it as I've forgotten my passwords for hostrocket.

Might add a couple links to other places I belong to but not sure yet. Requires more thought and time than I'm willing to put in tonight.

Later gators.

tired of...

The old layout. While this one isn't perfect, I like the different header image. I didn't like reading the text in the title. Ya know, needed a image. Corrected the Globe of Blogs link.

Maybe I'll play with it later. I've not figured out this css stuff and it's downright confusing. I may have to get a book to figure it out.

The kids and I, and a friend and two of her children are headed to the Old Farmhouse Craft show. Never know what you may find there.

It's a gorgeous weekend. I think we need to be outside since I do that so little.

Japan

I still want to go back to Japan. Some friends look at me as if I have sprouted wings or horns when I tell them this. "What is so good about Japan" they ask.

Japan, the culture, the people, the sights, the trains. Everything. I can't explain it. There is just this heart-felt desire to go back. Whether to work or as a missionary or to do both.

One of my favorite web sites/blogs is Japan Window. Every day Andy posts, he puts an image from Japan. As he's in Tokyo, I sometimes recognize what he is posting and it's good. Familiar.

One day I will scan in a few pictures I have from Japan and share here. Love it!

As for other things, sitemeter is down for sm1 which is where my counter is hosted from. I didn't realize that until today when I was scrounging around the net. Doh.

My blog is worth $2,258.16.
How much is your blog worth?

Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14 (KJV)

I am grateful for a God who loves me enough to send His only Sonto earth for our salvation.

This was also our sermon today. A Christmas Story. (It will be able to be viewed on the church web site soon.)

Today, I am grateful for my children, Skif and Talia. I am grateful for my family who we will share the day with. I am grateful for the friends God has put into our lives who put up with us, mentor us, correct us, and love us.

As for Surprise Me God, today is day 28. God showed me today and all these past days how many people He put in our lives who truly care for us.

Merry Christmas to all who pass by this way!

Surprise Me God

The weekend has flown by. We are tremendously blessed. Every time I come to church I am amazed by the people God has put into our lives to encourage us.

I made a comment about this to my nurse (the 1st one) that before we joined the church, we might have had 10 people we associated with. Of those, I would only have considered one a friend. The rest were acquitances.

God has give me a brother who I consider to be closer to Skif and Talia than their real uncles. He's definitely closer to me than my brothers.

I also, for the first time in about three years, chose to share my blog with 2 people here at church. When I moved it last (October 2003), it was because I was angry with a friend who had the url and I didn't feel free to vent although it was and is my blog.

We went to the children's workers Christmas party last night. Our children's pastors have such a heart for children. It shows in everything they do. I think one of my favorite stories to come out of children's church this year was the one of the man who gave his life to Jesus in children's church.

We should be able to start moving this Thursday. YAH! It hasn't come soon enough.

Also, while talking to a friend about recently discovering IKEA catalogs, she said she made a trip to Atlanta to the IKEA store there. We are planning a trip after tax refund time. I'd really like to own this couch. No clue how but boy that orange is the bomb diggity! And this chair is swuft! LOL I know, strange colors for a living room but hey, my tastes are changing. A few years ago, I would never have considered orange or red as an option in my house. Now, I can't wait to try it!

The kids are doing winter wonderland in Youth tonight. The gym is set for around 55 degrees or so. I think the fog machine is going too! Dude was it cold in there!

Today was our Christmas play. Talia had a small role. All the kids from children's church came in for one section of it. They put so many hours working and videoing different sections. It really turned out nice.

I am thankful for a heavenly Father who cares for us and blesses us through the people He surrounds us with.

This will have to do for now. I've spent two hours trying to get this to something that I can stand to look at.

I've discovered that it's past time for me to learn CSS. Way past time.

As for the rest in our lives, Skif turns 14 tomorrow. Talia is 11. I discovered on Friday that they have grown alot. Skif has grown 14" and Talia 11" in the last two years. Whoa!

Our paperwork for a house has been submitted to a loan processor. Please pray for favor. Favor for a lower interest rate and lower payments.

The house is wonderful. We hope to close on the 1st and move in by the 7th. The kitchen will be redone before we move in.

I'll have to pay an extra month rent on the old place but that gives me extra time to really go through what I no longer want and need to get rid of. It will help make sure the new home is in order to start with rather than running around like a chicken with our heads cut off trying to find things.

More later. I think I'll try email posting again (without the phone number this time) tomorrow.

I have managed to recover all my archives using Google cache. God is so good to give us Google! :o)

I'm thinking since I've done a number on this blog, I may rename it and still keep it on blogspot.

For the time being, I'm trying to rebuild the page with at least my old graphics.

I have just deleted 3 years worth of blogging by accident. I have no history.