Happy Advent!

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice!Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Refrain
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
Refrain
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Refrain
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Refrain
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Refrain
O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
Refrain
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Refrain

More information (and a MIDI file) can be found at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/c/ocomocom.htm

I hope this song can help remind us all of the right mood & attitude for this season. Jesus is why we celebrate -- remember His coming as a baby so long ago to grow up and die for us all...and remember that He will be coming again.

snow!!!!!!!

it is FLURRYING
(just a teeny tiny bit)
not a lot,
but it is SNOW
and
i *heart* snow!!

Birthday Gospel

i saw this on my friend Mark's blog...you take your birthday numbers (my birthday is december 6, so 12:6) and look up that chapter & verse each of the four gospels...here are mine (from NIV)...

Matthew 12:6 "I tell you that one greater than the temple is here."

Mark 12:6 "He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, 'They will respect my son.'"

Luke 12:6 "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God."

John 12:6 "He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it."

Random Acts of Kindness

so RAKing people has always been a nice thought....and to help others in need is always wonderful...but how can a regular person like me impact on a higher level? i try to do good every day for anyone...but here is a place to see how 2 men have been impacting people around the country!!

http://organization.random1.com/index.html

on a Christmas HIGH!

well, yesterday i went shopping! i left my house at about 5:30 AM...went to Kohl's & bought nothing...went to Michaels to use my 25% off coupon & bought a new eyelet setter for me and a few small goodies for gifts...went to linens n things and go a couple of Christmas gifts for my brother...Target was next with some needed kitchen items & a gift for my dad...drove to Gordman's and got another gift for my brother...next was Old Navy -- waited in line for OVER AN HOUR and bought things for ME, lol...i headed to CostCo after that for a huge box of plastic silverwear and lunch...after that was For Keeps Sake for more gift items...i went to Walgreens for a few last minute things and then went to Ben Franklin & bought a gift for my secret pal at church...

once i made it home after all that shopping, i was running on adrenaline -- brought up our nativity sets & angels and got them all set up (after vaccumming the living room)...brought up the tree and got it set up (no ornaments yet, but the tree is all lit)...i also wrapped all the gifts i had bought....sorted laundry, relaxed, etc, for the rest of the day...

this morning i went to church to get some things done (copies for Sunday School, signs posted, etc)...then i headed to Dollar Tree to buy a stocking for a Secret Santa Stocking swap at Cropper's Cottage...next was For Keeps Sake (again) to get supplies for a baby book i need to make before December 18th...after that i went to Sears to finish shopping for my dad...once i got home i have been doing laundry & finished wrapping gifts...

i am completely done with my dad's gifts (unless i find something else, lol)...i need one more thing for my brother...i am done with most of my friend's gifts...there are a few gifts that i need to MAKE, so that will take some time....BUT, i feel AWESOME and i am SO far ahead of the game so far!!!!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

i hope you all enjoy the day!

eat well, but not too too much.

drive safe where ever you may be going.

make sure to tell people that you are thankful for what they have done for you.

inexpensive dinner tonight

my dad & i went out to dinner after church tonight. we headed to Red Robin - www.redrobin.com - for some of the best food you can get! my dad ordered his normal gourmet burger & diet coke...i ordered my normal twisted ceaser/pasta salad & a vanilla shake...i also had a coupon (from their e-club) for a free chili chili cheese fries...

we got our drinks quick...then waited...they brought out the burger & salad...i said what about the chili fries, so thy brought them out...the manager (who looked like doogie howser) apologized for the fries coming so late, so he said he would comp them, i said that's ok, they were free, so he gave us a coupon for a free onion rings on our next visit...(ok, so we are already ahead)...

the waitress comes to check & such & notices my salad had grilled, not crispy, chicken on it -- so she comped my salad!!!!

my dad only ended up paying for my shake & his burger & soda!! :woo:

red robin has AWESOME food, but they also have AWESOME service!!!

it's wednesday!

woohoo!!

no school or work tomorrow or friday!! i am so happy!

this afternoon is going to be very relaxed and fun. we should be low in numbers because a lot of our families are going out of town, etc for the holiday

tomorrow i go to dinner at my Godparents house :) it should be nice to see everyone and just relax and enjoy. i need to remember to take pictures because i took a coaster book class at my local scrapbook store & it is a fall/thanksgiving theme. once i have pictures, i am going to give it to my Godparents to remember thanksgiving 2005. i think they will enjoy it. i am planning on taking the pictures with my digital in sepia and then getting them developed at costco this weekend in 3 1/2 x 5 size so that they will fit better on the coasters :)

friday i am hoping to go shopping!!!! i have some ideas of what i need to get for people, so i just want to get done!! PLUS, i *heart* shopping on black friday!!!

toodles!

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

i have just returned home from the magical land of Hogwarts & the Harry Potter universe...this movie is THE BEST by far!!! there are things that i would change/add (little things that make no sense whatsoever to the story line, but are in it for whatever reason)...

we got to the theater about 2 hours before the movie was the start!! sat in line that long, then sat through 15 minutes of ads, lol, then the movie finally began! what an awesome awesome awesome experience & movie!!!!!!

i encourage EVERYONE to go and see it!!!! but be forewarned, parts of it are rather scary (so PLEASE take heed of the PG-13 rating & do NOT take young children)!!

it made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me think...

tomorrow!!!!!

tomorrow night i go see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! woohoo!!

btw, any harry potter pictures i post were found at www.mugglenet.com :) there is AWESOME art there!!

i am fiber

You are Fibers!

Fun and crazy at times. You are a warm fuzzy kind
of person. You run around getting things done
but still find time for fun! You have so many
diverse interests that it is often hard to pin
you down to any one thing. People love your
friendly attitude and carefree ways. You often
brighten other people's days. But Fibers Beware
- Sometimes people don't take you seriously
because of your happy-go-lucky ways. Sometimes
you find yourself feeling left out from
decision making that could directly affect you.
Even though you like to be happy and cheerful,
make sure others know that you can also be
serious and in tune with reality.


What scrapbooking item are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

a list to fill out...

another "i saw this at another blog" thing!

Copy, paste, answer, add one of your own:

Have you ever...
1. smoked a cigar - nope -- GROSS!!
2. crashed a friend's car - nope
3. stolen a car - nope
4. been in love - nope :(
5. been dumped - nope
6. dumped someone - nope
7. taken shots of alcohol - once, i had 1 shot of a peachy liquer in barcelona, spain
8. been fired – nope
9. been in a fist fight - nope
10. snuck out of a/your house - nope, never had to
11. had feelings for someone who didn't have them back - isn't this a universal yes?
12. been arrested - no
13. made out with a stranger - no
14. gone on a blind date - nope
15. lied to a friend - possibly, but i don't remember
16. had a crush on a teacher - nope -- all my male teachers were old, lol
18. seen someone die - yes, my mother...
19. been on a plane - lots of times!! to omaha & california & maine & spain & amsterdam & ukraine & st. louis
20. thrown up in a bar - nope, i have never thrown up outside of my home/my mom's car -- and never from alcohol
21. eaten insects/grubs/worms/larvae - no, but my friend Roz did when we were in Ukraine -- a fly flew down into her mouth at night when we were talking
22. miss someone right now - yes, a lot of people
23. laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by - of course!
24. made a snow angel - every year if it snows!
25. played dress up - of course!
26. cheated while playing a game - probably
27. been lonely - yes
28. fallen asleep at work/school - nope, but i have come close at timess
29. used a fake id - nope
30. felt an earthquake - only at the science center where they have an earthquke disk you stand on & feel what it feels like
31. touched a snake - at the zoo
32. run a red light - yes, but not on purpose -- just missed the yellow
33. had detention - nope
34. been in a car accident - a few fender benders -- i also rearended someone (it was slick & slushy & he stopped quick)
35. hated the way you look - sometimes
37. been lost - occassionally
38. been to the opposite side of the country - i live in the middle, but i have been to the other side of the world & both coasts!
39. felt like dying - nope
40. cried yourself to sleep - yes
41. played cops and robbers - no
42. sung karaoke - no, but i like to sing, i am just a chicken, lol
43. done something you told yourself you wouldn't - not really
44. laughed till some kind of beverage came out of your nose - not that i can recall
45. caught a snowflake on your tongue - yup! it's a tradition
46. kissed in the rain - nope
47. sang in the shower - yup
48. made love in a park - nope
49. had a dream that you married someone - nope
50. glued your hand to something - nope
51. got your tongue stuck to a flag pole - nope -- i'm not stupid like that
52. worn the opposite sex's clothes - possibly, but just as clothes, nothing weird
53. Been a cheerleader – not my style
54. sat on a roof top - nope
55. talked on the phone all night - nope
56. ever too scared to watch scary movies alone – only movie that scares me is The Exorsist
57. played chicken fight - nope
58. been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on - nope
59. been told you're hot by a complete stranger - nope
60. broken a bone - nope
61. had a 3-some? - nope
62. dipped snuff? - disgusting
63. lived overseas - traveled, yes; lived, no
64. Ever passed out/fainted? - nope
65. blown bubbles in the wintertime - maybe
66. slept in your car? - nope
67. given money to a stranger? - if you count the red kettles, then yes
68. forgot your birthday? - nope
69. forgot your best friend's birthday? - probably
70. been in the presence of the Pope or the President? - yes, i have listened to EX (thankfully))-Prez Clinton 2x
71. failed a test? - yes
72. failed a class? - nope
73. accurately predicted a future event? - not really
74. slept overnight in a hospital without being a patient? - nope
75. realized a dream? - i don't have a lot of dreams/goals, but i have reached some
76. changed the clock at work so you could get out sooner?- nope
77. driven a stick shift? - nope, i refuse to try!

here i am!

here i am -- hoping this works for me to add to my profile!

Becky needs....

so i have seen this in a couple blogs & then someone posted it at cropper's cottage -- go to www.google.com and type in "{your name} needs" the results can be very funny!! (i tried to avoid other blogs where people were searching the same thing)

Becky needs...
-- Our Help
-- all dues ($15) as soon as possible.
-- to turn her life around
-- more people like you on her side
-- to go to bed!
-- more friends, since she’s so lonely
-- to figure out what she's relatively best at doing, then specialize in it.
-- a nanny
-- to be given proper credit
-- at this point in her life is information
-- round the clock, one to one care and supervision

i got my ticket!

just a few more days & i will be able to say i have seen Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire!! i am going on friday night at 9:45 with a couple of friends :) we are planning some fun snack foods to take with us -- sand-WITCHES, carrot stick wands, etc...we are a little dorky with this subject, but we are going to have FUN!!

quizes are fun!

You Are Changing Leaves

Pretty, but soon dead.

What Part of Fall Are You?

You Are Boot Cut Jeans

You're fashionable and sexy - in an understated way.You're more about looking good than following the latest look of the week.

What Style of Jeans Are You?

Your 80s Heartthrob Is

Kirk Cameron

Who's" Your 80's Heartthrob?

12-hours of cropping fun!

i went to a 12-hour crop at For Keeps Sake -- i finished TWENTY (yes, 20!) pages!! they are all using pictures from my Ukraine trip this past summer...i also won a cool prize with some awesome new Studio K papers & embellishments :)

i will (hopefully) be taking some digital photos soon of the layouts i did so i can get them posted at cropper's cottage -- i will let you know when that happens!!

i also got some cool items for my charity scrapbook basket/bag -- some page kits & metal letters & stickers & scissors & albums & other fun goodies :) it should be a nice full auction item!

toodles

are you sure it isn't saturday??

i know, it is friday, but i am off, so i was able to do all my errands that i would normally do on saturday!! i went to target (x2), ben franklin, michaels (x2), office max (x2), office depot, and one way! i had to go to 2 of some of the stores because they were out of what i wanted, etc. i also got the laundry started & my car cleaned out...

tonight i am going to a benefit dinner for a family friend's little girl who has an inoperable brain tumor...please keep little maddie in your prayers -- she is a wonderfully sweet & smart & funny little girl...i remember seeing her last thanksgiving at my Godparent's house...she had on the cutest black & pink dress -- i would ask her what color her dress was and she would always answer (with a mischeviously silly grin) "yellow" -- i am always going to remember her.

i am anxiously waiting -- the first part of the orders from my longaberger party should be getting here today!! and part tomorrow and part next monday or tuesday...there are a few things that are backordered, but i think they will still make it well before christmas :)

tomorrow i am going to be gone most of the day -- i am going to a 12-hour crop at the scrapbook store by me...it goes from 10 to 10...they are going to have a thanksgiving dinner for us, lol...i am going to take all the papers, etc, that i am using for the photos from my trip this past summer, and i hope to make a HUGE dent in them!! i have SOOOOOOOO many pictures, i just need to get them scrapped :) but it should be fun

toodles to do more laundry & start prepping for the dinner tonight...

tomorrow will be NICE

tomorrow i get to sleep in! woohoo!! i am sleeping until 7 (instead of 5) and then i work from 8:15 until 2:30...i have a class at the LSS to go to from 6:30 to 8:30...and then on friday i can sleep as much as i want because i have a day off!!!!! yay!!!!!

i forgot to mention my basket at my meetings last night :( but some of the ladies from the cottage are mailing me some items to add to the basket...and i will mention it at the class i am going to tomorrow oand the crop on saturday :) i hope to get some nice goodies to add to it -- i have some things i will be adding, i am just hoping i won't have to add a ton of items to make it seem "full"

well, this is short, but i am bushed & can get a good amount of sleep tonight, so toodles all!

scrapbook basket for charity

i am putting together a basket of scrapbook goodies for a local charity...they are having a basket raffle soon, so they will do that to make some money...i am going to ask my friends tonight at the scrapbook store if anyone would like to help; i also put the word out to my scrapping pals online. i have a couple of different scrapbook tote bags that i will use instead of a "basket", plus i have some other goodies to start filling it with...i hope some other people are willing to help to make this a huge cool basket!

the charity is called Angel's Arms -- www.angelsarms.org -- and they are a foster home that can take in 15+ kids at a time...they do this so families can stay together...what an awesome cause! :)

ATCs galore!

tomorrow night i have 2 meetings at the scrapbook store -- first is a design team meeting, then i have a NYOBC meeting...

for the NYOBC meeting we exchange ATCs (aka Artist Trading Cards) which are a lot of fun to make & trade...well, i had to do mine for tomorrow...we had a thanksgiving theme, so i made a turkey one & i think it is way cute, but it is also messy because i used feathers on it, and they are shedding!! i finished all 18 tonight...

i am also a part of an international ATC swap about famous women that nancy at the scrapbook store found...they are due later this week, but i wanted to get them done for tomorrow...i did mine on Anne Frank using a photo i downloaded & a quote from her diary...i finished all 16 tonight, too...so i am ATCed out for awhile!! lol,

but we will do ones for Christmas for our december meeting, and those i am going to be as simple as possible on...i need the break from the more difficult ones!!

i will need to take a picture of my latest ones -- my dad disconnected the scanner, so i can't just scan them quickly -- POOH ON YOU!

a forest of giving....coming soon to a church near you!

well, our youthgroup has gone from one 6 foot tree to a set of SIX smaller trees (2 each of 2 foot, 3 foot & 4 foot) -- AND, we used our money wisely & got all six for a little under $30!!

the additional money from our car wash a month ago (that was to benefot the giving tree) went to buy $60+ worth of toiletries, socks, hats & toys at target!! we were lucky & they had all the $1 item stuff - 4/$1 - and they had SOCKS there! so we stocked up on socks :) plus we had some coupons to use & were tax exempt, so we were really good stewards with our money.

stumbling toward divinity

stumbling toward divinity

my friend mark is a hoot & a half! he is in his final year of seminary to become an ELCA pastor -- which he will be awesome at!! i met mark in college & have enjoyed talking with him ever since...

yyyaaawwwnnn!!!

i am just so TIRED!!

work has been crazy this past week...but this coming week MIGHT be better -- we have 2 days of no school, so we will be doing special days & i will be working different hours on thursday & friday...i requested friday off, i doubt i will get it (even though there is no one else that day), but you never know!!

then this past weekend was our high school retreat at church...i did NOT spend the night!! after 10 1/2 hours at work, i rushed home to eat dinner & then to turn back around & head to church -- after mixers & a bible study & cosmic bowling, i got home a little after midnight (after being up at 5)...back on saturday by 9:30 (after going to walmart) for rec time & lunch & helping set up for an event on sunday...i did not do too much with the retreat, even though the majority of the kids are from my church & my church hosted, i just couldn't! i was just too exhausted!! then today i had youthgroup again!! lol we were some busy bees this weekend!! after a breakfast at church & sunday school, youthgroup went to lunch & to buy our new giving trees & items to put on them -- we got 6 small trees (2 to 4 feet tall) and then $60 worth of toiletries & socks & hats at target!! woohoo!! we have an AWESOME start!!

i have a cold, so i have just been hanging around all afternoon doing nothing in particular...i snoozed a little earlier this evening & watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition -- i *heart* that show!!

until next time!

what a day!!

today was an interesting day -- i worked & had a meeting & worked some more...same old same old...but during the hour where i watch kids sleep during their nap time, the FIRE ALARM went off!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!! i had to get 18 sleeping/resting 3-year-olds up & lined up at the door & flip all of their cots to make sure that no one was hiding, etc...LUCKILY, both of the regular teachers were still in the building & so they came to help (have to)...

i had to get gas tonight & i am SOOOO happy!! it was $2.19 a gallon, so i didn't have to pay $30+ to fill my tank for the first time in about 2 months!! woohoo!!!!!!

my friend danielle -- http://spaces.msn.com/members/danimoemommy/ -- is so funny!! i love the photos of your red rashy face, lol...but keoki is ADORABLE!! i can't wait until i get to go to colorado and meet the cutie!!

my friend kathi is now in CHINA!! she is helping some friends watch their oldest 2 girls while the mom gets their NEW chinese baby girl! the youngest of the ones they have so far (3 so far) is at home with her dad...but i saw him today & he told me they arrived safely and within a couple days they will have a new baby girl to love (even though she isn't a baby, she is a toddler, lol)

hugs & blessings...

Lavras near Kyiv. 

Meghan and Molly 

What a pose!! Meghan at Woody's in the climber... 

My friends Kathi & Wendy with Fredbird at the Autism Walk.