Friday, July 8, 2011
Challenge Day 6
So today will probably be the most difficult day of the challenge for me since I'm supposed to share with you my favorite book. What? There is no way in the world that I can narrow it down to one, but I will share with you a genre that I enjoy. I love reading books that look to the future or a world where "big brother" is in charge of daily life, such as 1984 by George Orwell or Brave New World by Aldous Huxley or even Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. But the teacher in me leads me to choose The Giver by Lois Lowry. It is the story of twelve-year-old Jonas who is growing up in a world of no feelings, no choices, and no spontaneity. He is chosen to be the the Receiver of Memories for his community. During his training with the Giver, he learns the truth about his utopian existence. I won't give away the whole story, but I definitely recommend that you load it onto your Kindle and start reading ASAP. It is a wonderful exploration of what people may do to simply keep the peace and also a poignant look at whether such a sacrifice is worth it or not. Happy reading!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Challenge Day 5
I'm supposed to tell you about my favorite TV show today. So here I go....
Season one or eight, I don't care. Desserts or masters, it doesn't matter. I LOVE THIS SHOW! I will always be watching on Wednesday evenings at 9 p.m. Besides the fact that I live to eat, it seems like I come away from each episode with a new trick to try in the kitchen or an idea for a interesting dish. And if they can produce a gourmet, well-presented, and tasty dish in thirty-five minutes in some episodes, then there is certainly hope for me to produce a semi-gourmet, put-on-a-plate, and pretty tasty dish in an hour or so. I can't imagine the pressure they are under trying to come up with new and exciting recipes on the spot, but I thoroughly enjoy watching them do it. Popcorn ceviche in thirty minutes? No problem! Seared scallops while blindfolded? Absolutely! Shocking your noodles in the shower? You go, Hubert! Now if I could just figure out how to make dinner and have a sparkling clean kitchen when I'm done like they do on Bravo, I'd be set for life. ;)
Season one or eight, I don't care. Desserts or masters, it doesn't matter. I LOVE THIS SHOW! I will always be watching on Wednesday evenings at 9 p.m. Besides the fact that I live to eat, it seems like I come away from each episode with a new trick to try in the kitchen or an idea for a interesting dish. And if they can produce a gourmet, well-presented, and tasty dish in thirty-five minutes in some episodes, then there is certainly hope for me to produce a semi-gourmet, put-on-a-plate, and pretty tasty dish in an hour or so. I can't imagine the pressure they are under trying to come up with new and exciting recipes on the spot, but I thoroughly enjoy watching them do it. Popcorn ceviche in thirty minutes? No problem! Seared scallops while blindfolded? Absolutely! Shocking your noodles in the shower? You go, Hubert! Now if I could just figure out how to make dinner and have a sparkling clean kitchen when I'm done like they do on Bravo, I'd be set for life. ;)
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Challenge Day 4
Watch out family, 'cause here comes a picture of me as a child...with all of you included!
There are so many things I could say about this picture, like what exactly is wrong with my hair? I'm pretty sure it was officially called the Dorothy Hamill cut, but it looked much better on Dorothy! Or I could say how stinkin' cute Katie and Sarah are in this picture. Maybe I could talk about how much hair my dad has. I know what you're thinking...he hardly has any. But you should see him now! ;) I could write for days about our clothing choices, but I'm pretty certain that either my mom or my grandma made most of our outfits, so I can't complain.
Although when I look at this picture, I do see all the things I've mentioned, I mostly see my wonderful, loving, sometimes crazy, but always faithful family. No matter where life has taken us, we always seem to find our way back to each other. And if we ever wonder if we have a stable, secure place to fall, all we have to do is look back at this photo and remember the love that keeps us together!
There are so many things I could say about this picture, like what exactly is wrong with my hair? I'm pretty sure it was officially called the Dorothy Hamill cut, but it looked much better on Dorothy! Or I could say how stinkin' cute Katie and Sarah are in this picture. Maybe I could talk about how much hair my dad has. I know what you're thinking...he hardly has any. But you should see him now! ;) I could write for days about our clothing choices, but I'm pretty certain that either my mom or my grandma made most of our outfits, so I can't complain.
Although when I look at this picture, I do see all the things I've mentioned, I mostly see my wonderful, loving, sometimes crazy, but always faithful family. No matter where life has taken us, we always seem to find our way back to each other. And if we ever wonder if we have a stable, secure place to fall, all we have to do is look back at this photo and remember the love that keeps us together!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Challenge Day 3
Day three of my blogging challenge is my favorite movie. This should come as no surprise for those who know me. Drum roll please...
That's right. Dirty Dancing! Did you really think I'd pick anything else? While I do adore Back to the Future and Urban Cowboy, my heart will always choose Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Where was I, you ask, the first time I watched this movie? In the living room of my second home, Amy Boullion's house. We must have been in the ninth or tenth grade and all sat down to enjoy a movie. Never in a million years would I have imagined that the movie would become my favorite, go to when I just want to get lost in myself movie of all time!!!
Here are the things I know because I love this movie:
1. Old music rocks! Of course, I grew up in a household that was full of music, so most of the movie's soundtrack wasn't new to me. Thanks, Mom! But I am so thankful the producers exposed another generation to its awesomeness.
2. A man that knows how to dance will always get the ladies! Anyone who's been to the Longhorn knows this, right? ;) Bud knew it in Urban Cowboy and Johnny knew it in Dirty Dancing. Being proficient in the art of the dance and knowing how to lead your lady around the dance floor scores points...period.
3. We all make mistakes in life, some large, some small. No matter what, there are consequences, some large, some small. But in the end, there is a chance for forgiveness--forgiveness from others and sometimes forgiveness from yourself. But always, we must remember that God is there...waiting to embrace us and grant us the eternal forgiveness we desire.
So on that note, go grab a cold drink, maybe a snack, and head to Netflix and watch my favorite movie. And Diane, I know you'll enjoy the show from Heaven!
That's right. Dirty Dancing! Did you really think I'd pick anything else? While I do adore Back to the Future and Urban Cowboy, my heart will always choose Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Where was I, you ask, the first time I watched this movie? In the living room of my second home, Amy Boullion's house. We must have been in the ninth or tenth grade and all sat down to enjoy a movie. Never in a million years would I have imagined that the movie would become my favorite, go to when I just want to get lost in myself movie of all time!!!
Here are the things I know because I love this movie:
1. Old music rocks! Of course, I grew up in a household that was full of music, so most of the movie's soundtrack wasn't new to me. Thanks, Mom! But I am so thankful the producers exposed another generation to its awesomeness.
2. A man that knows how to dance will always get the ladies! Anyone who's been to the Longhorn knows this, right? ;) Bud knew it in Urban Cowboy and Johnny knew it in Dirty Dancing. Being proficient in the art of the dance and knowing how to lead your lady around the dance floor scores points...period.
3. We all make mistakes in life, some large, some small. No matter what, there are consequences, some large, some small. But in the end, there is a chance for forgiveness--forgiveness from others and sometimes forgiveness from yourself. But always, we must remember that God is there...waiting to embrace us and grant us the eternal forgiveness we desire.
So on that note, go grab a cold drink, maybe a snack, and head to Netflix and watch my favorite movie. And Diane, I know you'll enjoy the show from Heaven!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Challenge Day 2
Today is supposed to be my favorite song. That's a tad difficult since I have so many! But hands down, one of my very favorite songs is this...
This song brings me back to so many moments in my childhood, starting in fourth grade. Chris and I were chosen to be Bud and Sissy (from Urban Cowboy for those of you who have been living under a rock!) in the Christmas program and spent countless hours learning to waltz. Now that Chris is gone, I still think of him every time I hear this and remember the excitement of my first true love.
My grandpa also comes to mind when this song plays on the radio. He loved Anne Murray and watched her on CMT all the time. Mama and Papa even took me to the Houston Rodeo to see her in concert! And when our family decided to travel the 24 hours to New Jersey to visit my aunt, we listened to our Anne Murray cassette the whole way. I still know the words to every one of those songs!
Music is such a gift to the soul....
This song brings me back to so many moments in my childhood, starting in fourth grade. Chris and I were chosen to be Bud and Sissy (from Urban Cowboy for those of you who have been living under a rock!) in the Christmas program and spent countless hours learning to waltz. Now that Chris is gone, I still think of him every time I hear this and remember the excitement of my first true love.
My grandpa also comes to mind when this song plays on the radio. He loved Anne Murray and watched her on CMT all the time. Mama and Papa even took me to the Houston Rodeo to see her in concert! And when our family decided to travel the 24 hours to New Jersey to visit my aunt, we listened to our Anne Murray cassette the whole way. I still know the words to every one of those songs!
Music is such a gift to the soul....
Sunday, July 3, 2011
I'm baaaack.... I'm going to try really hard to get back into blogging mode. And to that end, I thought I'd try a 30-day challenge. So join me for the ride...here we go!
Day one is a recent picture of myself.
This is a picture of me after my recent college graduation. That's right, I graduated, again, this time with my Master in Theological Studies. Standing next to me is Fr. Joe Gile, the director of our program and a wonderful mentor. This picture represents a lot for me. First, it was probably the most proud I've ever been of myself. It took countless hours of reading, writing, and sacrificing (on my part, but also on the part of my loving husband and beautiful children!) to earn my degree. Second, I love this picture because it shows the "after" of my weight loss challenge. We started in the Fall of 2010 with a small group of girls who would meet weekly to discuss menus, weigh in, and walk the mall in support of each other. I have lost about 20 pounds and I couldn't be happier. I have more energy, my clothes feel better, and my pictures certainly look better! Last, but absolutely not least, when I look at this picture, I feel the overwhelming love of God. I would have never imagined myself in this position--married to my best friend with two precious children, doing a job in the Church I love, and graduating after an exhilarating two years of intense study. Only by the grace of God am I able to be right here in this very spot. Praise the Lord!
Day one is a recent picture of myself.
This is a picture of me after my recent college graduation. That's right, I graduated, again, this time with my Master in Theological Studies. Standing next to me is Fr. Joe Gile, the director of our program and a wonderful mentor. This picture represents a lot for me. First, it was probably the most proud I've ever been of myself. It took countless hours of reading, writing, and sacrificing (on my part, but also on the part of my loving husband and beautiful children!) to earn my degree. Second, I love this picture because it shows the "after" of my weight loss challenge. We started in the Fall of 2010 with a small group of girls who would meet weekly to discuss menus, weigh in, and walk the mall in support of each other. I have lost about 20 pounds and I couldn't be happier. I have more energy, my clothes feel better, and my pictures certainly look better! Last, but absolutely not least, when I look at this picture, I feel the overwhelming love of God. I would have never imagined myself in this position--married to my best friend with two precious children, doing a job in the Church I love, and graduating after an exhilarating two years of intense study. Only by the grace of God am I able to be right here in this very spot. Praise the Lord!
Monday, November 29, 2010
RIP Jo McGovern!!!
I lost a dear friend to cancer last night. She had been in remission from breast cancer until last summer when it returned in her spine and brain. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to her passing. It's just plain wrong. My heart is weeping for her husband, children, grandchildren, friends, and family. There are no words to express the deep sense of loss I feel.
Jo was the life of any party! Her smile would light up the room. And her sense of humor--let's just say that there is a celebration going on right now in Heaven. She and I could talk, laugh, gossip and she would always leave me in stitches. I have so many great memories to hold on to.
I will never forget one year at the Blessing of the Bikes in Derby when she decided at the VERY LAST SECOND that she wanted to ride in the poker run. So she hopped onto the back of a bike with a total stranger and took off. That was her spirit!
Then there was the time Kelly took me and her out to dinner during parent/teacher conferences one year. We went to a Chinese restaurant and were enjoying dinner when the shouting started. Apparently the cooks in the kitchen were fighting with each other AND in Chinese so we didn't really know if we were in any danger or not. I almost peed my pants, but she just kept on eating like nothing was going on. One tough lady!
I'm feeling pretty lost today and couldn't think of any other way to pay tribute to a precious friend. So here's to you, Jo. May you enjoy every second in your new glorious home and tell Sr. Margaret Ann hi from me! ;)
Jo was the life of any party! Her smile would light up the room. And her sense of humor--let's just say that there is a celebration going on right now in Heaven. She and I could talk, laugh, gossip and she would always leave me in stitches. I have so many great memories to hold on to.
I will never forget one year at the Blessing of the Bikes in Derby when she decided at the VERY LAST SECOND that she wanted to ride in the poker run. So she hopped onto the back of a bike with a total stranger and took off. That was her spirit!
Then there was the time Kelly took me and her out to dinner during parent/teacher conferences one year. We went to a Chinese restaurant and were enjoying dinner when the shouting started. Apparently the cooks in the kitchen were fighting with each other AND in Chinese so we didn't really know if we were in any danger or not. I almost peed my pants, but she just kept on eating like nothing was going on. One tough lady!
I'm feeling pretty lost today and couldn't think of any other way to pay tribute to a precious friend. So here's to you, Jo. May you enjoy every second in your new glorious home and tell Sr. Margaret Ann hi from me! ;)
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