Snippets

For the second week in a row, we had a chance of winter weather here on a dreary Friday and once again, it failed to materialize. I am not unhappy about that but many other locals are. We seldom get snow or freezing precipitation of any kind and many people here long for it. Of course just the hint of white causes businesses to close, schools to shut down and drivers to become even more stupid dangerous than normal. We didn't get that close today so it was business as usual which was great for me as I had to get a tire fixed that had a slow leak. I am headed to Florida bright and early Sunday morning and am glad that I was able to get this taken care of before starting out on a long trip with a bad tire.

I went to my cell phone provider's store today because I wanted to get a new phone. I've tried to check on one at the kiosk in Walmart a couple of times but the sales personnel there are not very knowledgeable and the bottom line is that they are out of the phone I want and will be for at least another month. Sadly, it is not available at the main store either and the very slick and knowledgeable salesperson there was hellbent determined to sell me the phone dujour, which was not the phone I want. I left with my old phone and guess I will check on one in Florida next week to see if I can get what I want there.

I have to cook chicken tonight and shred it so that we can prepare enchilada dinners tomorrow for our dinner on Sunday. This is the main fund raiser for the Mission Team at our church. I will not be there on Sunday, which makes me feel bad as I am in the first month as chairperson of the Mission Team... only 35 more months to go!!! My first month has been a bit daunting as we started the year in the red and I am totally unfamiliar with how the Team was organized in the past. Thanks to some EOY contributions that just hit the books this month, we are (barely and possibly only temporarily as some charges haven't hit yet either) in the black now and hopefully we will make a little something off of the dinner. Ticket sales are down a bit so far but we should sell more at the door on Sunday and perhaps nudge our balance up a bit more. I am finding that being the chair of a major function at church has some unique challenges. Let's just say it was easier managing a fairly large department of employees and implementing a major system at work than getting a handle on organizing a group of good, honest, decent hard-working people who are called on constantly because they are good, honest, decent hard-working people.

My oldest granddaughter, Erin, was on her way earlier today to get her learner's permit. Say it isn't so. Like Steve Miller says sings time keeps on slippin slippin slippin into the future.

I've just spent a few moments failing as part of a Rock Band on the Play Station 3 that my son hooked up on my television both as a drummer and as a bass guitarist. What a difference a few years make. I was an ace at Asteroids and Pacman on the Atari some many years ago! hmmmm... maybe I'll start a bring back Pong revival!

Tomorrow will be spent (after my time at the church) doing last minute laundry and packing. I'll load up the vehicle late tomorrow night so that I can get an early start on Sunday morning. I'm looking forward to seeing Jamie and her girls. I haven't seen Kayla and Anna since last year about this time. Jamie was here at Thanksgiving but the girls were with their dad. My computer time will be seriously diminished for a few days but I should get back in the swing once I'm settled at Jamie's house. I will be there for a couple of weeks.

Have a great weekend everyone and stay warm.

Wordless Wednesday - Reminiscing

Check out the new Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Spoofing Photoshop

I got a link this morning in email to a site with video tutorials for Photoshop that I found hilarious. There are three videos at the site and they all actually teach you a little something about using Photoshop (or can be applied to other graphic programs) in an amusing manner as Donnie opens up his less than perfect life for use in his tutorials.

If you are a prude easily offended by mildly off color humor you might want to take a pass on Donnie's videos entitled "You Suck at Photoshop".

Happy Blogoversary To Me!

besides...

I think everyone is entitled to my opinion whether they want it or not!

Preaching the Apostle's Creed

Our pastor is preaching a series of sermons based on the Apostle's Creed. He is taking each line and dedicating an entire sermon to that line. Since our church is part of the United Methodist organization, his sermons are of course based on that version of the Creed. A couple of lines are worded slightly different and the UMC chose at some point to omit the line 'he descended into hell', which is another story for another day.

Here is our version of this widely used statement of faith:

I believe in God the Father Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord:

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried;

the third day he rose from the dead;

he ascended into heaven,

and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.

Today's sermon was on the second line, 'maker of heaven and earth' and the creation and the controversy between a strict fundamentalist and a strict atheistic / scientific view of creation. I think most of us fall in the middle of two the extremes and are open to something in between. I personally believe that religion and science are not mutally exclusive and that science could actually prove out certain facts relating to the existence of God (not that it needs to be proved or even could be proved). Indeed, our minister used a quote by George Coyne that expresses largely how I feel.

"I have friends who pray that science will never discover or explain certain things. I don't understand that," he declares. "Nothing we learn about the universe threatens our faith. It only enriches it."

I just do not understand why any intelligent being would fear truth or knowledge or a discussion of opposing beliefs. I think God calls us to seek the truth. Surely an examination of our beliefs can only make our faith stronger or give greater understanding of why we are called to be faithful.

I will have to miss the next two weeks in the series, but I can always pick up the recorded CDs when I get back. I really enjoy Weldon's sermons and writings.

da Girlz!

I spent some time playing around in PSP today and this is the result of a blending assignment in one of my groups. I love working with photos of the girls. Unfortunately, I cannot download the most recent pictures from my camera as I have misplaced my cable. My media reader does not accept the xd card from my camera so I will either have to get a replacement cable or find an adapter.

What's up with my losing so many things... I swear I have Alzheimer's.

Pensieve's Poetic License Challenge

I've decided to give this a try and boy did I pick a tough one (at least for me) to start participating. The form this month is Terza Rima, which I was unfamiliar with. She has offered two themes to write on and of the two, I chose beginnings.

Go to Robin's blog to check out this month's poetry challenge and for an explanation of the challenge and the form.

Here's my try.

The Day Begins

The early morning sun peeks through the window sill,
The light flickering just enough
To cause the cat to stir from his still
Quiet place; as I cough
He yawns and stretches before sauntering away.
I close my eyes again, shutting off
The source of the light as it grows into day.
He returns, nudging me, urging me to rise
And let him out to go his way.
I resist but finally open my eyes
To the silent beginning of these early moments.
I open the door, giving in to his cries;
He runs out to the backyard jungles between the fences
And I return to my place of rest to bask again in the silence.

©marsha miller
2008

Friday Feast #175

March 17 -- For some reason this never got published. I never formatted it and since it is so late getting posted, I am not going to.

Appetizer
What is your middle name? Would you change any of your names if you could? If so, what would you like to be called?

My middle name is Elaine. I never really cared for it but have finally decided how I felt about it was not important. It's just a name, my mother's choice as was my first name, which I also didn't care for. But it's who I am... it's who my mother chose me to be and that's good enough.

Soup
If you were a fashion designer, which fabrics, colors, and styles would you probably use the most?

Definitely denim and cotton!

Salad
What is your least favorite chore, and why?

I hate drying dishes or conversely emptying the dishwasher. I would much prefer to wash dishes, which seems the harder task, but for some reason, I find it a soothing activity. Maybe the hands in warm water?

Main Course
What is something that really frightens you, and can you trace it back to an event in your life?

I have a fear of bridges... I've traveled many miles out of my way to avoid certain bridges over the years because of my fear. My only recollection is reading a news story when I was very young about a family whose car went over the side of a bridge. I have no idea if that story initiated my fear.

Dessert
Where are you sitting right now? Name 3 things you can see at this moment.

At my computer desk. In front of me is my Cafe Du Monde coffee mug that I purchased many years ago in New Orleans, a stack of books and some favorite pictures.

The Band Meme

I saw this one at Gill's jottings and took up her offer to try this meme with the following results:

Band Name: The Unborn
Album Title: the-not-worth-knowing
Album Cover: (from a picture titled time bomb)





Here's how it goes. You are about to have your own band's CD cover. Follow these directions to the letter. My tagee list is at the bottom of this post. It's fun and requires no thought at all. Go to......
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.
2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.
3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
4. Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together, and post the results on your blog. Don't forget to leave a comment here so I can check out your results. ** if you don't 'do graphics' just post the picture with your band name / album title below the picture on your blog.

I'm not tagging anyone in particular just opening up the chance for all who want to join the fun to give it a try. Again, be sure to leave me a comment to let me know if you do!

Win A Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer!

A Cowboy’s Wife is having a contest on her food blog! You can win a Hamilton Beach® Stand Mixer and she’ll ship anywhere so everyone is eligible!

The Prize:

The winner will receive a brand new
Hamilton Beach 4.5-qt. Eclectrics Stand Mixer, Pineapple Yellow!!

About the mixer:

From Hamilton Beach’s “Eclectrics” line, this all-metal stand mixer comes with a host of accessories - a Flat Beater for cakes and cookies, a Dough Hook for bread and a Wire Whisk for whipped cream or pudding. The 4.5-qt. stainless steel bowl comes with a Pouring Shield that helps prevent splattering while in operation. The pouring shield has a built-in chute for adding ingredients. Powered by 400 watts, the stand mixer has a two-way mixing action to ensure all ingredients are incorporated into the mix. The quick-release, tilt-up head assists when removing the bowl. 9 x 14 x 14-in. When you’re ready for a kitchen re-do, don’t call in the carpenters! Instead, “counterscape” your kitchen with Hamilton Beach’s retro-designed, affordably priced electrics in happy, sun-saturated colors. Their “Eclectrics” line includes updates to those classic appliances from the 1950s. All of their “Eclectrics” are available in six colors: Apple Green, Moroccan Red, Pineapple Yellow, Intrigue Blue, Sugar White and Licorice Black.

Anyone can enter until 6pm CST on January 31st, but know that I'm claiming victory now! :-D

Messin' Around with PSP

A couple of weeks ago, we were over in Bossier at my daughter's to have Christmas with her and my three granddaughters. I took several pictures of course and have done some playing around with them and thought I would put a couple of the results out here.


The first one is a picture of Erin's new puppy, Bijou, who weighed in at the time at slightly over 1 pound. He was having a blast finding sticks and twigs and chewing and playing with them when he came upon what was for him, a log. He tuckered himself out trying to move this thing around. Bijou was a Christmas present and is a Maltese and Chihuahua mix and a very tough little fellow. He scared everyone Christmas night when they had to make a trip to the emergency clinic with him. It was touch and go but he came out of it just fine... this photo was taken less than a week later.

Credits: the photo was taken by me but I am not sure where the frame came from. I apologize to the creator for losing their identity.

The next one is a picture of Erin and boyfriend Nick. No, I didn't make a mistake, I actually took several pictures of them barefoot outside on the last Sunday in December. Don't be concerned, I think it was close to 80 that day.

Credits: the photo was taken by me and edited in Paint Shop Pro using a tutorial I found on the web.

hmmm... I Feel Like One of The Baldwin Sisters!

I found this at Diane's blog and got a kick out of it!

The Recipe For Marsha

3 parts Superiority 2 parts Wisdom 1 part Power Splash of Uniqueness Serve over ice

What's the Recipe for Your Personality?

Anytime I hear or read the words 'the recipe', I can't help but think of the Baldwin sisters on Walton's Mountain.

Number 1!!!

Another Contest

There's a contest at the Big Bald Blog until January 4th. Get on over and enter for a chance to win an 8 Gig I-Pod Touch among other things.

New Year's Giveaway

Head on over to Laced With Grace to win this:


But hurry... today is the last day to sign up!

Remembering Nancy - The Ripple Goes On

Nancy Richer

Please click on the picture link and read the post on Linda Sharp's blog about Nancy's life and death and her daughter's feelings about it. If you are so inclined, link to her post so that the ripple effect might recognize Nancy's existence in a way that we would like to see our own mothers lives honored.

picture from Don't Get Me Started with Linda Sharp