Only 67 Days Left.

Okay. So DON'T panic like I did yesterday, when I received my credit union newsletter, saying "It's about that time." I always start thinking about Christmas when I remember that Christmas Club account is now ready to be drained of its fundages, and the fun of spending begins. I started a Christmas Club account years ago when I started working at Murray State, because my hubby and I aren't the best at putting money back for little things like buying several gifts a piece for family members and friends around a certain holiday. Soooo. . . . I started a Christmas Club account.

Now I know what you're thinking. "But I can't AFFORD to do that! Are you KIDDING!?" Well, that's what I thought. But, ya know? You'll never miss $15 out of your check two times a month (really. it's true!) and at the end of the year, you'll have something like $400! So, that's not so bad! I increased that amount after the kids were born for obvious reasons.


I saw this cute little project Donna Downey did on her website, and I keep thinking it's too cute to be just a spool! What about using that idea as a Christmas CARD!? I'm still working and thinking about this one...

Anyways, just wanted to help you PANIC like I did about the holidays. It's time to start looking at your pantry, in a "Geesh - you really don't have any cans in there, do you?" kind of way, and start purging your home of old toys and useless items, to make room for NEW TOYS and USELESS items!

YAY, HOLIDAYS! {sigh. . . }

You Take the Good. . . You Take the Bad

Okay. So it wasn't good to title my post that way. Now, you have "The Facts of Life" song going through your head like I do today (You take the good, you take the bad, you take 'em both and there you have . . .). So not funny, right?

I know, I know. Me, too! I'm in that mood today. I have learned an unfortunate truth about real life lately at work. The truth is, you're gonna have good days, and bad days, and LUCKY are the ones that the good outweighs the bad.

That's my TRUTH.

I realize that in my life, I've had both. All my life, I wanted to work in an atmosphere others would DIE to be a part of. And I've had that. I've also had the "Is it time to go home yet?" kind of jobs, too. You know what? We all have had both kinds. Even if it is the same place, we all go through spells in which we can't WAIT to get to work, then it's the opposite.

Why can't it always be FUN!? I guess you have to have down times and bad times to appreciate the good times.

So, the picture - - - I bought from etsy.com, a great little web site that has some beautiful handmade items in it. Like eBay, only cheaper. Lots of talented ladies out there, you need to check this web site out. You'll spend a day just admiring all the stuff like I did!

I just LOVE blogging...

So, here I am. Sitting at my computer on a Saturday morning, listening to the kids play "Dead Mommy and Bear Fare" (I dunno either, I had to ask Brendan, but apparently, your littlest child runs through the house screaming, and your older child walks through the house like a mummy, complete with his stiff arms out in front of him, moaning - LOL!) and I was checking my computer, when all of a sudden. . .


My TWO WORLDS COLLIDE.



This is Audrey Neal. I was checking out one of my favorite blogs StuffDock Scrapbook Blogs. It's one of my faves because it takes SEVERAL of my faves and squashes all of them into ONE blog. Ya gotta love that!! Anyways, I ran across Audrey Neal. She's a girl I've had my eye on for a little while now, she has a freestyle funky flair to her scrapbooking that I absolutely LOVE. Anyways, so, as I'm scrolling down and reading "what's up" with her, I realize she'll be at the Damien Rice Concert next week. HELLO!? I am WORKING that event! I work at the Regional Special Events Center, and we brought Damien Rice in! I even sent out an Ecard about the concert with that logo she used in her blog!! (I can't take credit for the design, that was my coworkers, but by gosh, I clicked "SEND", so that counts, right??)


Anyways, I'm just beaming that I feel like I'm in the right place at the right time. It's so neat when two worlds collide. My WORK. . . and my PASSION.


I'm gonna have to contact this chick. That much TALENT so close to home? I must meet this girl!!

I just LOVE blogging.

Camping. . . So GOOD for my SOUL

Oh. I can't tell you how relaxed and invigorated I feel, now that I'm back in the office from a FANTASTIC weekend! I'm SO in love with just letting go and getting away for a while, yet, being so close to family and friends. I had such a wonderful time.

I think Brad and I would like to, in the future, try to look into a camper that will accomodate our family and our new love for our new hobby. Now, the one we have NOW is doing just that, but Brad and I would really LOVE to bite the bullet and look into maybe a newer one for our family... we'll see.

Here's some photos of our amazing time we've just had.

It's HERE.

Well, who knew it'd be SILVER? Okay. After the initial shock wore off, I examined it. You know, silver is cool. I'd pick a silver SUV over a black one, why not keep my newest member of the family? I don't base family based on color. This one will do. Just FINE.

I had to drive to Paducah to pick it up at the FedEx store. Felt like a dork, but apparantly, they wouldn't leave it at my home, unless I was there AT HOME to sign for it. So. . . off to Paducah I went. Wouldn't you go if you knew THIS was waiting for you? Aww, come on. You know you would!

We're going camping this weekend, so I'll probably have some pictures to post.

Ya THINK!?

Is it too late to want this, too? I'm just gettin' my wish list ready for Christmas:

Waiting. . . .

For this. Oh yes, my friends. The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi is heading to my house. And I'm trembling with anticipation.

I've wanted this camera for almost two years now. I've entertained the idea, gawked at it's ungodly price, then finally saved up enough money here and there and, with a little (okay a LOT of) help from my sweet, sweet, hubby, it's heading in my direction.

Oh, this will be a great day. A day that I can FINALLY take pictures like a real person!!! YAAAAAAAYYY!!!!!

It's been a tough week

There's never an easy way to say goodbye to anyone. But this week, our community has had a difficult time saying goodbye to an amazing guy, Derek. Derek was tragically killed in a farming accident. His death sent a shock throughout his family and friends, and for such a good kid with high hopes and aspirations. . . it's so hard to say goodbye. I can't imagine the pain his sister, his mom, his dad, his grandfather, and the rest of his family have been through. I was honored enough to be asked to sing "Goodbye For Now" by Kathy Troccoli at his funeral. Man, I never know what to say or do in a situation like this. But I was so honored to play a part in the funeral services, and to be given something to do by the family. Oh Derek, we will miss you.

Be in prayer for any mother who has ever tragically lost a child. I can't imagine the void in your heart, the pain - both mental and physical - that you must feel. I pray also for the fathers out there that have lost sons. I'll never know that kind of hurt. I pray for the siblings who've lost siblings. Sometimes we grieve so much, we overlook your pain. I pray for the grandparents who have lost grandchildren. The shock must be overbearing at times. I lift you all up in prayer, and I know God will heal the most impossible pains. He is the only One.

He is the Only One.

He IS the Only One.