Gladiator DVD

Yep, it's that time again...help me WIN the Gladiator DVD for free from whogets.com, it has been a while since I entered into a contest over there! You know the drill....click Rachel's Contest and vote for me...rachelannnmac. If you don't know the drill, then click the link and create a profile at whogets, vote for me and then enter all the contests for yourself!! It is easy, it is free, and it is spam free. A person wins based upon the number of votes he or she can get!

Here is the link again...Rachel's Contest Link!!!

Thanks for helping me out! (Mom and Holly S., I already voted for you!)

Happy Birthday Granpa!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Yesterday was my Granpa Shorty's 80th Birthday!!! Happy Birthday Granpa!

I drove over to their house yesterday afternoon and spent the night with them. I knew they weren't going to really "celebrate", but I am one of those people who think everyone should celebrate EVERY BIRTHDAY!!! Especially when you are turning 80!!!!

I bought a slice of white cake for him, and some candles and decided to sing "Happy Birthday" to him myself. I know he thought I was crazy beforehand, but he really thought I was bit much when I gave him cake and balloons! But secretly, I think he was excited and pleased that I did something for him!

I'd like to say we got to visit a lot last night; however, the land phone and the cell phone were ringing a bit excessively while I was there!! He has lots of friends and family that called with birthday greetings!

He chuckled when he saw me come in with the helium balloons I bought for him. I especially liked the "I LOVE YOU" Frog!

I'd like to say it was a great visit; however, this morning he was having some chest pains and plain not feeling well. He has been sick for quite some time now, and he is getting worse! After calling all the doctors he sees, my Granma was advised to drive him into Spokane and check him into the hospital (again!)...so away they went.

My mom just called and told me that his blood was very low, so they are going to give him a blood transfusion, and that he would be in the hospital two or three days. Not only is it hard on him (he hurts, he is weak, and he is just plain sick of being sick), but it is extremely difficult on my Granma. She takes care of him daily, making sure he has his meds, gives him dialysis every day and driving back and forth to all the doctor's visits and hospital stays.

Now, I don't want my Granpa to die; however, I know that he is a Christian and knows Jesus! So when that day does come, I know that he will be once again enjoying what he has been missing out on the last few years...FISHING! He will get to spend some great afternoons fishin' on the lake with Jesus! But until then, if you could send a prayer out for my Grandparents that would be wonderful....

....Heavenly Father I pray for your Holy Spirit Comforter to be with my Grandfather and Grandmother as they face the disabilities of the disease that is eating his body. I know you are a God of healing; however, I also know that healing comes in all forms and fashions...Ultimately, I pray for peace in my Grandfather's life...peace in his body and peace in his spirit. I pray that you would ease his discomfort and ease my Grandma's worries. I know that they know you and I pray that they would continually lean on you for their strength!




Just a few seconds of my Granpa blowing out his candles!

Precious Life

My friend Karen had this video on her blog. It is a very touching and moving video.

Heath Ledger Found Dead in NYC

OMG....one of my favorite actors! This just popped up on the web within the last hour or so. Tragic!

Jan. 22, 2008, 5:11 PM EST

The Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday at a downtown Manhattan residence, and police said drugs may have been a factor. He was 28. NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said Ledger had an appointment for a massage at the Manhattan apartment believed to be his home. The housekeeper who went to let him know the masseuse had arrived found him dead at 3:26 p.m.

The Australian-born actor was nominated for an Oscar for "Brokeback Mountain," where he met his wife, actress Michelle Williams, in 2005. Ledger and Williams had lived in Brooklyn and had a daughter, Matilda, until they split up last year.

Ledger was to appear as the Joker this year in "The Dark Night," a sequel to 2005's "Batman Begins." He's had starring roles in "A Knight's Tale" and "The Patriot," and played the suicidal son of Billy Bob Thornton in "Monster's Ball."

Ledger grew up in Perth, and began doing amateur theater at age 10. At 16, he moved to Sydney to pursue an acting career, quickly landing TV movie roles and guest spots on Australian television.

After several independent films and a starring role in the short-lived Fox TV series "Roar," Ledger moved to Los Angeles and costarred in "10 Things I Hate About You," a teen comedy reworking of "The Taming of the Shrew."

Offers for other teen flicks came his way, but Ledger turned them down, preferring to remain idle than sign on for projects he didn't like.

"It wasn't a hard decision for me," Ledger told the Associated Press in 2001. "It was hard for everyone else around me to understand. Agents were like, `You're crazy,' my parents were like, `Come on, you have to eat.'"

His latest role was in "I'm Not There," in which he played one of the many incarnations of Bob Dylan — as did Cate Blanchett, whose performance in that film earned an Oscar nomination Tuesday for best supporting actress.

Cafe Espana

CONGRATULATIONS


Here is Susana showing off some of Cafe Espana's goodies. What is Cafe Espana you ask? It is her new coffee shop; however, for us Washingtonians it is all the way in Fayetteville, NC. So if you are ever in the Fayetteville area make sure you go get a Coconut Mocha...Susana will definitely know that you are a friend of mine (I drink Coconut Mochas a lot!)

The Fayetteville Observer did a nice little write up about Susana and her coffee shop, click HERE to read the article.

Here are some basics:

CAFE ESPAÑA

Where: 500 N. Reilly Road in the Bragg Shops Shopping Center

• Phone: 764-1283
• Hours: Mon.-Fri. from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Sun.
• Specialties: Tortilla de patata (Spanish potato omelette), homemade churros, gourmet coffees, including an espresso blend made by Cactus Creek Gourmet Coffee Roasters in Aberdeen

Friend...Congratulations on getting your store up and running. I know that all the stress you went through, the tears, the frustration, and your dad have all contributed to your anxiety about opening up...but you have done it! Yeah for you!!!

I am looking forward to coming and visiting this Spring...and hey I am bringing free Mexican, child slave labor for you. Just think a week of having Maddy be at your beck and call...put her to work...she'll enjoy it (or I'll smack her...just joking all of you!).

Shampoo

Ok, I know that shampoo seems like it might be a strange topic to blog about, but I have come across this great new shampoo product. It is a spray powder shampoo that you can use when you don't have the opportunity or access to give your hair a regular shampoo, or you need a quick pick me up shampoo in between regular shampooings (is that really a word?!).

As most of my friends and family know, I have travel a lot, and the last three years I have been over to SE Asia...let me tell you that there were many times that I wish I had a product like this. I can distinctly remember our second year over there our group was staying at Pastor Christopher's house...now keep in mind that this is a medium sized house (by Malaysian standards) that housed like 30 of us and his family....I slept in a room with about 10 girls, but ALL of us girls were using one bathroom. Let me tell you that it would have been great to have this spray powder shampoo to use...you put it on dry and it leaves your hair shiny and clean. The bonus is that it is a dry shampoo that doesn't leave oily residue or white stuff in your hair. It is quick and easy to use. Even better? They have shampoo for different colors of hair: Brunettes, Blondes, Black, and Silver hair. That means that they have experimented and perfected their shampoo to fit all different hair types, and haven't just clumped all of us into one pile of hair!

I can think of lots of times that having a shampoo like this would come in handy: camping, on long airline flights (and then you are stuck in the airport), emergency run out of your regular shampoo at home, and much more! It is also a product that is fairly reasonably priced...you can either but it off their site or they have retail locations (like Rite Aid....and all of us have a Rite Aid somewhere near us). Just think of the times this product would come in handy.

Art or Destruction?

By Associated Press

ROME (AP) - Hundreds of thousands of brightly colored balls went cascading down Rome's famed Spanish Steps on Wednesday in the latest stunt orchestrated by the man who dyed the waters of the Trevi Fountain red.

TV cameras caught organizer Graziano Cecchini and several others emptying bags full of red, green, yellow and blue balls down the 18th-century steps. The balls bounced down the steps, filling the boat-shaped Barcaccia fountain in the piazza below in a spectacle that stunned passers-by, who snapped photos and scooped up the balls as souvenirs.

Officials were forced to briefly cordon off the popular tourist spot. Police detained Cecchini and three others, Italian news reports said. Cecchini, interviewed at the scene, told Italian TV newscast TG5 that he uses "art - if we want to call it art - to stress our malaise." He said half a million balls were deployed. Street cleaners later shoveled the balls into garbage trucks and hosed down the stairs to remove strays.

Following his Trevi Fountain stunt in October, Cecchini was placed under investigation for possible damage to historical or artistic buildings.

I personally think this looks like fun. I know that others may think it is disrespectful, but did it really hurt anythign? Come on, more of us wish we were bold enough to pull off a prank such as this! I especially LOVE the picture at the very top...I just need think of what I can use if for in scrapbooking!

New House

So, it is now the middle of January and I am STILL at my sister's house...sleeping on the couch! Such a lovely couch that it is! Well, I've talked to apartments throughout Moses Lake, and we've talked to my sister's Realtor...there is a waiting list in Moses Lake for APARTMENTS and HOUSES (ok, unless you really want to live in the Ghetto, and I mean GHETTO!). So what does that mean for me? Well, I was contemplating the 1 bedroom apartment for $425 a month (yeah, it's one of those semi-ghetto places) or a town house for $850 a month (although I think that one is already gone!)...

...INSTEAD....

I have decided to BUY...yes, you heard me right...BUY a house. OMG...super scary, super nerve wracking. Am I ready for this? Can I afford it? Is my credit worthy enough for a house...to buy???? OH the insanity...STOP THE WORLD I WANT TO GET OFF!!!

Once I figured things out..the actually cost of rent is about what I can pay in a house payment...give or take a few hundred. Plus, it will be mine! Instead of buying an actual house that is used, I am going to buy a NEW manufactured home. The one I picked out is 3 bedroom, two bathroom and is 1188 square feet. It's not huge, but it is way cute. The bonus to buying a custom built manufactured home is that everything is built how I want it. That means I get to pick out the carpet, linoleum, tile, paint (they are painting the entire house!), etc, etc. It comes with refrigerator, stove and dishwasher. They also finance in the cost of furniture (that is a BIG blessing, as I have NO furniture).

I've put a deposit on the actual house and I am talking to a guy that my sister knows who owns property. He wants to sell, but we are just trying to figure things out so it is best for everyone around. Once I verbally figure it out with him, then the manufacture place will actually buy the property and then put the cost of it into my financial package. Then the building will start....if all goes fast and smooth then I am looking at about two and a half months! The sooner the better!

I will keep you posted as to whether or not it goes forward!

I Wanna Be a TV Star

Well it is only fitting that I write this blog post, seeing as I just wrote about being on the Price is Right for a brief few seconds! Susana and I have talked for years about writing and starring in our own TV sitcom. We feel as if our life is one long sitcom that others would definitely laugh at (hmmm, I hope they are laughing because we are funny, not laughing out of pity!!).

Well, in todays world the world of the internet is literally my oyster! What better way to share with the entire population my life! I already put pictures and videos here on my blog, but sometimes a much broader diving board is needed to let people know all about ME!! So do you want your 15 minutes of fame on TV too? Oh, now is your chance (Marcie, I know you are dying to get on TV :) ). What you need to do is upload your videos to the website YawpBox and wait and see if your video is chosen to be "discussed" on their 30 minute television show hosted by Lex and Terry. They will discuss the social networking of Yawpbox and the users who make up the Yawpbox community. This show is filmed in front of a live studio audience in Dallas, TX. Oh I love those words, "In front of a Live Studio Audience"!

Speaking of Lex and Terry, they have a CHALLENGE for all you people out there! They have various categories for you to enter for your chance to be on TV.....show them your best tattoo....show them your mullet (do you really want to admit you had a mullet?)...show them your best homemade commercial....show them your reenactment ofI ha your favorite movie scene....there are so many opportunities for you and ME to be a movie star!

Ok, so I have to leave you with this picture...it is posted under the "Do the most extreme thing" and you can be on TV....um, yeah I wish I knew what this was a picture of. Do you have any ideas?

So, what are YOU going to do to get your 15 minutes of fame? Are you going to create a video? Post a picture? WHAT???? The options are many, the audience is enormous, the opportunity to be famous is priceless!

Price is Right

Remember when I said I went to watch the Price is Right? Remember that Janay won the pricing game, got onstage and won a motorbike and a grandfather clock?

Well, Holly called me today at 10:01 a.m. to tell me that she saw the top of my head on TV!!!! I was so excited to see it; however, I was at work and couldn't. But lucky for me I live in an age of technology that allows me to see TV shows online! Ahhh...the life of the internet.

You can go to CBS.com and watch Epidsode 4144 that aired 1/14/08.

You have to look very, very, very close to see any hint of me! LOL....just to help you out we are in the far, back right corner. We are all wearing the same T-Shirts that Janay is wearing!

Glasses

January seems to be that time of year that I notice lots of people getting new glasses. I am assuming this is because a lot of insurance plans have open enrollment in January!! As an eye glass wearer, I am always on the lookout for new places to buy cheaper (not cheap, just cheaper) glasses. I have made a Great Discovery: www.ZenniOptical.com where they are able to sell glasses of all kinds for less as they are direct manufacturers and have no middle man selling to you the customer. Just think...single vision lenses, sunsensor lens, tinted sunglasses, bifocals and more at your disposal. Check them out!



This is a sponsored post

Mason Quote

Mason and I were in the car driving home yesterday and we were talking about brothers and sisters. We were counting how many brothers he has (2) and how many sisters he has (3). I was telling him that I have no brothers, and he promptly asked me,

"Do you want me to sell Brandon to ya?"

I couldn't really answer through all the tears and laughter!

Blog Worthy Random Photo

OK...this is picture wins the blog worthiness picture of the weekend. Shannon and I played let me take your picture so I can get a picture of someone else game.

Check it out!!!

The lady on the left (I wish I could zoom in and crop for you!) is wearing a SKIRT. Yes, a SKIRT up on Snoqualmie Mountain at the tubing run. OMG....Shannon and I about died. Who in the hell wears a skirt to go play in the snow? Was she wearing thermals underneath? Oh, no she is just wearing tight!

Shannon told me afterwards (because I of course did not go tubing) that she ACTUALLY went tubing in her skirt. And that tons of people were taking pictures of her because no one could believe it!

So if you are reading this blog and you recognize this poor girl...tell her to dress more appropriately next time!

My Favorite Place

Yep, this was the best place to be during our wet, cold, snowy weekend! Smack dab in the middle of the HOT, HOT, HOT tub! Ahhhh

Hangin' out with the kiddos (why is this always an auntie job?)

More Pics

Family pic #1...Joe, Camille and Dajia

Sisters! Guess who is pregnant in this picture?

No, not the girl on the right (you have to actually have sex to get pregnant!)

No, not the girl on the left (she and her hubby can't um, have any more if you know what I mean!)

Yep, that means Camille..the baby of the family is having another one. Dajia is going to be a big sister sometime this summer!

Family Pic #2...minus oh 5 kids!! LOL...Ernie, Shannon and Maddy

Snow Weekend!

So we spent the weekend up at Snoqualmie...rented hotel rooms and everything. So for those of you who know me, are thinking why did she go with (I hate snow!), well you know family and all!

This is Ham #1...I think she was actually walking up to me saying, "Let me see, let me see!"

Ham #2...what's with the head tilted, teeth baring pictures with cheesy grins that kids always give you?

We are King and Queen of the mountain...ok so we are Prince and Princess of the really high snow hill that is piled up outside of the Summit Lodge!

Snow Angel making kiddos. They actually kept plopping down where ever they felt like it...this time just happen to be on the foot path everyone was taking from the tubing area up to the entrance.

Maddy and Dajia...usually Maddy is my camera hog; however, I only got a couple of pictures of her this weekend. I guess I'll have to go back again and get more!

New Year's Eve Pics

Here are some pictures from our New Year's Eve festivities. That is Holly, Gwen, Me and Cody at the BUNKO table. Holly and Rodney went home the big money winners of the night!

Group shot of the BUNKO tables! We had a blast playing that night!

Yeah, this is what happens when you let people stay up past their bedtime. Barbara! (Ok, ok, I admit, I might have been antagonizing her a bit!)

Al is the reason we were really having a New Year's Eve party...we were actually having a 90th birthday party for him! 90 and lookin' good!

Al and Shirley (Holly's grandparents) Shirley what are you hiding behind your back?

Oh, look what Shirley was hiding MY corona!!! lol...I told her she was lookin' pimp in that hat and all she needed was a beer in her hands...she agreed and so I gave her my Corona! Oh yeah, that is Ben!

Ben and Rodney

Blowing out the birthday candles. Does Heather look like she might be trying to help him?

Fun Contest

Well, I was checking out Marcie's blog, and she had a link to a fun blog...which in turn had a link to various blogs with different contests going on. The one blog that really interested me was Elysa's blog. From the sounds of it she used to live in Swaziland as a missionary...someday I will get to Africa as a missionary!

Well, she has a New Year's Contest going on right now and the prize is wonderful jewelry that she handmade! The contest? Comment on her blog where you were on New Year's Eve...1989!! Me? I was 15...and I think I was at a church lock-in at Tahoma Assembly of God...at least that sounds right. More than likely I was at home reading a book because I was a bit of a nerd growing up! Check out Elysa's Blog Contest and let her know where you were in 1989!

Happy New Year

What an amazing year 2007 has been! 2007 was a very busy year for me! The word of the year at my church for 2007 was "Go Deep!", and I did! Here is just a brief recap of my year:

• Went to SE Asia in February for the third year in a row! Was able to see God move in ways I wasn't expecting.

• God gave me some "Go Deeps" for my life this year

• Started a Roth IRA retirement account...for most that isn't a go deep; however, when you are struggling to pay bills and figure out where you are going to get money, this was big for me! GO DEEP #1--Retirement/Finances
  

• Continuation of GO DEEP #1--Finances: I paid off two credit cards! And am looking forward to paying off the last three in 2008...and being completely credit card debt free within the next six months! Praise Jesus!
  

• GO DEEP #2--Education. I started working on my Masters Degree in Education in May. I am scheduled to begin student teaching in January 2009 and finishing my thesis that year and eligible to teach Fall of 2009...High School History Teacher!

• I bought a brand new 2007 Saturn Ion in July! Sadie is definitely a God car, as I knew I needed a car but never thought I would qualify for a brand new car with 0% interest. God was definitely blessing me for decisions made!
  

• I had been planning a move to San Diego for two years to help church plant, and I moved down to Oceanside, CA in August!

• Just three short months later I moved BACK to WA as I was offered a job in Moses Lake, WA. God was once again blessing me financially with this new job. It didn't seem like the place I wanted to move to (and still doesn't sometimes), but the blessing of God was all over this job.
  

• GO DEEP #3--Relationships. I have definitely deepened a few relationships this year that mean a lot to me, and have realized that there are people in your life for short periods of time and there are others that are there for the long life journey. I am beginning to sort out those who are my life long journeyer's and those who I am ok with just being short timers!
  

• GO DEEP #3--Relationships. My final Go Deep for the year was to start the paperwork to locate my biological parents. I sent my paperwork off last week and hopefully will hear something soon as to the progress. I will definitely keep people updated.

What does 2008 look like?

That on one hand a hard question to answer on the other easy! I know that financially I am going to keep working on restoring credit and paying off bills! I plan on saving quite a bit so when I student teach I have money to live on.

Most importantly...I simply live my life to give God glory and honor. I am not super Christian....I have flaws and habits that aren't the best. But I do recognize that every open door, every blessing and every move I make is for God and from God. I pray God's blessing for each and every one of you!