I just got home from here. It was an amazing experience! More later - after I catch up on my sleep!

Actually, it's not the rain that is the problem - it's the thunderstorms. For only the second time in my career, I had to cancel a program due to weather. There is just no way to get the instructor there because all the flights are canceled. And unfortunately, my local contact was already gone for the day. I sent emails, left voicemails with my cell number...not much else I can do at this point. Yet there is a part of me that feels like it is somehow my fault - which I know logically it is not.

I hope the weather clears up for an upcoming adventure! More on that later.

Tonight I am cleaning, doing laundry and catching up with a friend at a new coffee house at a local "mega" church. I'm interested to see what they've got going on there - and she says they have peppermint patty smoothies; I mean, really, who could pass that up?

I'm sad to say that the Spring Reading Thing has come to an end. I was really plowing through the books this time!

Here is my original Spring Reading Thing list. The first six...well, I didn't touch the first four and numbers 5 & 6 are partway finished. But in addition I read the following by Karen Kingsbury:

A Moment of Weakness
A Thousand Tomorrows
A Time to Dance
Divine
Even Now
Waiting for Morning
Where Yesterday Lives
Halfway to Forever

Can you tell I really love her writing? I actually have two of her other books currently being held at the library for me right now!

I also read:

Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper
The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
Child of Grace - Lori Copeland
A Slender Thread - Tracie Peterson
Ships of Mercy - Don Stephens & Lynda Rutledge
The Church Ladies - Lisa Samson

Katrina, the wonderful soul who organizes these great reading events, suggested answering some questions to sum up our Spring Reading Thing experiences...and so I shall!

What was the best book you read this spring?

I absolutely loved Divine by Karen Kingsbury. I saw it on the reading lists of so many people but thought its subject matter might be too much for me right now. But I am so glad it was available at the library when I was trying to read absolutely everything Karen Kingsbury has ever written. It was beautifully written and I simply could not put it down.

What book could you have done without?

The Secret Life of Becky Miller. It was ok - the story itself was good - but I had a terrible time with her fantasies/daydreams. I got to the point where I was just skipping them all together. I'm not a daydreamer, so I guess I couldn't relate!

I also could have done without Anderson Cooper's book. I absolutely love him but I felt like I had heard most of the stories contained therein either when he was interviewed on Larry King or other shows to promote the book. There was little that was new to me.

Did you try out a new author this spring? If so, which one, and will you be reading that author again?

I actually tried a few. I think I would ready other books by Alice Sebold, Tracie Peterson, and possibly Lori Copeland.

If there were books you didn't finish, tell us why. Did you run out of time? Realize those books weren't worth it?

I think those I planned on but did not finish (first few on my list) just did not appeal to me when it came down to it. I have been struggling through a very stressful time in the last few months, especially the last few weeks, and reading, frankly, is my escape. I read so that the stress will leave me, so that I can think about someone else's life for a time...and the books I chose and read in this time allowed me that.

Did you come across a book or two on other participants' lists that you're planning to add to your own to-be-read pile? Which ones?

I'm looking forwarding to checking out the links to see what others read - I did pick Divine & the Secret Life of Becky Miller from other's lists originally, but I think that's it.

What did you learn -- about anything -- through this challenge? Maybe you learned something about yourself or your reading style, maybe you learned not to pick so many nonfiction books for a challenge, maybe you learned something from a book you read. Whatever it is, share!

I so love to read. I always have, as long as I can remember. But this time I felt strongly that reading was my only escape - and a desperately needed on.

As for what I learned from a book, I learned a great deal about Mercy Ships organization. One of my dear youth who just graduated is leaving in August for a 6 month mission with them and I wanted to learn all I could about it. I am so proud of her and so pleased that she picked such a wonderful organization to journey with. The book is very moving and well worth the read.

What was the best part of the Spring Reading Thing?

I love its mere existence! And Katrina is such a blessing to all of us who love to read - thank you so much for organizing this again!

Would you be interested in participating in another reading challenge this fall?

I wouldn't miss it for the world!







<

I am beat. I spent the day at an outdoor flea market with my mom, aunt and their cousins. The flea market left a lot to be desired but it was good to be out and about. After we got back, we went out to dinner with my dad for a belated Father's Day meal. I came home, watered the plants and took a shower and have been online since - checking email, catching up on bloglines, and checking in with my Beth Moore Bible study gals. We have our second meeting on Sunday and I am looking forward to hearing what they all are thinking. I so hope they love this study as much as I do. I pray that they are doing the homework and working through it all, because I know that that is what will help them learn and grow.

I need to post my results of the Spring Reading Thing this weekend. I know I'm behind (surprise!) but I really do want to get that done. I read A LOT more than what I planned but still didn't get to some of the books on my list. Oh well!

Appetizer
Name a funny habit you have.

As I am rushing out the door, I have to run back and check that the stove is off. Even though I NEVER cook breakfast in the morning, and that would mean the stove was on all night long...and I do this even when I am certain I did not cook the evening before.

I'm a little OCD, apparently.

Soup
If you could instantly know how to play a musical instrument, which one would you pick?

Definitely the piano.

Salad
How long is your hair?

Short

Main Course
When was the last time you forgave someone, and who was it?

I have someone I want to forgive but I've been having a difficult time with it. I want them to say they are sorry...or something...but they are not. I know I need to forgive them anyway but it is so hard.

Dessert
What is your favorite kitchen appliance?

My beloved crockpot. Oh, what would I do without thee?

Labels: Friday Feast

Another busy weekend is behind me. I have to admit, I did virtually nothing today until about 7 PM...because I desperately needed some downtime. Saturday was our yard sale for workcamp...we only made $68 but I guess that is better than nothing. And people got to get rid of some of their stuff. We took all the "leftovers" to the local thrift store, so no one had to take their stuff back home.

Then I ran up to my parents house. My dad was out of town so my mom and I went out and bought him a father's day present, went shopping, had dinner and then went to get ice cream. It was a fun night - the highlight was the two of us making him a father's day card to go with the gift. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard - it was hysterical!

Today I taught our elementary class. They were really rammy with school just being out but we had some fun. At the end of the lesson, I gave them some affirmation statements. First, before I let them read them, I talked to them about how sometimes people can be mean and hurt our feelings by saying things that aren't very nice to us. But that what other people say shouldn't matter - it's what God thinks about us that is important. I talked to them a lot about God having a plan for their lives. They were all very quiet when they read their affirmations and I hope that it hit home with some of them. Sometimes it is hard to tell - but I pray that what we are doing there each week with these kids, in their lives, is making a difference. That when they have a bad day or are in a tough situation, they remember a verse or story we studied and it helps them get through and come out stronger on the other side.

I ran around on the way home taking down the yard sale signs (gosh, it was HOT) and then came home and checked on my dad's flight status for my mom. It's cool - on Delta airlines, they have a feature that will show you on the map where a flight is!

After lunch, I read and watched the race (and was happy Carl Edwards won so his poor bus driver could finally shave his beard off!) and just about the time my mom was supposed to head to the airport, she called and said she'd been bitten by a spider. Spiders, as you may know, are my arch enemies. But she was worried about it and didn't know what to do so I suggested she put benadryl cream on it and take benadryl tablet with her to the airport in case she needed it and my dad could drive her home (or to the hospital!) But then I decided to google the spider based on her description.

BAD BAD BAD IDEA.

I'm sure I am going to dream about these gruesome creatures tonight. And I never did find the one she described. Apparently, though, she is ok and didn't have any serious adverse reaction. The benadryl probably helped.

I went out and put more soil in my flowerbed and watered the plants. My neighbor no longer lets me use the hose closest to the flower bed because its hers and she doesn't want to pay the extra for the water bill, which is fine...except the hose from my side of the house (completely around the house) doesn't quite reach. So I'm standing about 8 feet away, trying to aim the stream into the bed and pots. It's really quite an amusing sight. But it does the job...and those poor flowers need it - we are going to have temps in the mid 90s all the live long week. Ick.

Then I had to run around and do dishes and litterboxes and such. I do this ever Sunday - I sleep or lie around and then at about 8 PM I become a lunatic, trying to get things done around here that I didn't do all weekend. And then I lament, why oh why do I always do this??!?!!?? And yet I do it again.

And now it is time for some much needed shut-eye.

TTFN.

And the graduation circuit. The first of my "kids" from our youth group graduated this month. I am so proud of them - I can't even begin to tell you. It's been such a blessing to be a part of their lives and watch them grow into the beautiful, amazing young women that they are today.

Liz & Maria

Kendra

and Danielle - I love this picture!

Appetizer
Fill in the blank: The best thing about where I live is _________________…

The best thing about where I live is being able to see a sky full of stars on a clear night.

Soup
Create a new name for a deodorant (like “Flower Fresh” or “Shower Scent”).

I'm not that creative...

Salad
What was the last piece of software you installed onto your computer?

The Weather Channel

Main Course
If you were to receive a superlative award today beginning with the words ”Most likely to…”, what would the rest of the phrase say?

Most likely to take on too much (!!)

Dessert
What two colors do you like to wear together?

Pink & grey

Tomorrow, we're having a yard sale at my house to help raise money for workcamp. We haven't done fundraising this way before and I'm hoping it's a success. It's supposed to be a nice day and so far, alot of stuff has been dropped off for it, with more to come tomorrow morning. I've slated it for only three hours because most of our kids are working or away - but hopefully we'll have success in that time!

More to come...it has been graduation season - the first four of our original youth group members are now officially high school graduates. I am so proud of them all and so excited to see them moving into the next stage of their lives...and sad, all at the same time.

1. I can't believe that the hot topic on the news is Paris Hilton getting out of jail. I'm not sure I agree with it but I also know I've not walked in her shoes - and I know that I would probably have just laid in my cell and wept, too. But, that said, I don't think she deserves 45 minutes on Larry King, while the family of the girl who was kidnapped from the Target parking lot and killed were only on for about 5 minutes. Something is very wrong with that.

2. I really need to clean my house.

3. I really need to post my photos from the Organizing Challenge last month. I did do it - and did it well - and on time - but with all my travel last month, I never got to post the photos!

4. I have been a reading fiend. I haven't read two of the books on my list (actually, there may be more but I'll have to double check) but I've read A LOT that weren't on the list. I've read almost everything Karen Kingsbury has written. I love her!

5. I wonder if Karen Kingsbury has a blog?

6. We're finally starting a Beth Moore study at my church this Sunday. I'm leading it with my friend Cindy and I'm very excited. I really think this could be life-changing for people...myself included.

7. I am in need of some life change. I say that all the time, I realize....

8. I finally gave up on the ink stained clothes. I salvaged some of them but some will become workcamp clothes.

9. We're having a yard sale for workcamp next Saturday. I keep forgetting!! Since it's at my house, I'd better remember!

10. Melatonin is a beautiful thing. I'd fallen into a very bad habit during all my recent stress and travel of taking my prescription sleep aid or Advil PM virtually every night. My friend's doctor recommended melatonin for her so I decided to try it again. I had used it years ago; not sure why I stopped. But it does seem to help. So does staying off the computer late!

11. I don't like conflict. I don't like people being upset or disappointed in me. But if I feel strongly about something, I will stick to my guns...and deal with the consequences, even when I don't like them or feel they are just.

12. It's going to be 93 degrees tomorrow. This makes me ill.

13. For some reason, why I try to type in my email on the laptop, they keyboard doesn't seem to work right. I type letters and have to hit the keys over and over to get them to show up. It takes forever and it's annoying. Why does this happen??? It is typing fine here and in Word, but not in email.

Labels: Thursday Thirteen

Today we went here

and it did this
all day.

Generally, I love rain. I do not love that the rain caused the race to be cancelled and rescheduled for tomorrow, when I have to work...

We did get to have our picture taken with the Nextel Cup (I have to download that) and got to see Dale Jr.'s car and go to the Dale Jr Experience, where we saw his Daytona 500 trophy (it's huge) and saw a short video about him. That made me happy. And we went shopping and I got a cool Nascar t-shirt, which also made me happy. So all was not lost...