No Words

My last post was about numbers. Although I still stand by my premise that you should know your numbers, I must admit that I never really cared much for numbers. I wasn't particularly good at math in school and I still panic if I think I've got to do some mental math on the spot. I never volunteer for jobs that require making change, calculating price per unit, or estimating food amounts to purchase. I rarely offer to figure everyone's contribution when it comes to splitting the bill at the restaurant. I count on the GPS to calculate my estimated time of arrival if I am traveling at 65 mph.

I was really freaked out in 7th grade when I had Algebra for the first time and they threw letters into equations. Letters belong in words and those I understand! I am a good speller, I love the history of words, and I love learning new words--occasionally I make up new ones when I can't think of the one I want or when I need to get extra points in Scrabble. I love how some people have such a way with words that in their speech or in their writing thy can paint a vivid picture or move you to action simply by the words they choose.

Sometimes, there are no words. Like when you are totally speechless by what God is writing on your heart. When your best defenses are shut down by His words that you are chosen, you are equipped, you are in His plan and He has your destiny written in his story. When you are afraid to argue but more afraid to answer.

Psalm 19 begins with these verses:
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.

And ends with this:
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

You Should Know Your Numbers

I flunked Dr. Oz's Real Age Test.
By flunk, I mean that my "real" age was greater than my actual age. ARGHHHH! At the end of the test, they give you a list of reasons as to why you scored as you did. Apparently, I flunked because I did not know my numbers...and because I sometimes talk on the cell phone while I drive. Seriously, I didn't know talking on the cell phone was considered a health risk. They asked how many mg of calcium, iron, vitamin C, D & A were in the multi-vitamin I took. I didn't have the bottle with me so I didn't know. But that's why I take a multi-vitamin-- so I don't have to do the math.

Then they ask for some other numbers I didn't know--blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, TRG, and blood sugar. My last test was about 10 years ago. I was sure that since my dress size and hair color had changed over that time period, chances are so had my numbers. I figured it was time to get them re-done. It didn't sound quite as fun as having my colors done or getting a make-over but being a classic overachiever, I couldn't live with the unacceptable grade. I had to know my numbers so I could re-take the test. I made a visit to my "helpful smile in every aisle" pharmacy who happened to be running a special this month on cholesterol checks. They had me at "finger prick". No long needles and tubes of blood for me.

Five minutes later, I had my numbers: 101/60, 150, 69,47, 169, and 103.
Not too bad but there's always room for improvement. Aside from not talking on the cell while I drive, I need to get more exercise and cut out some unhealthy eating habits.

It's not just about improving my test score--it's about improving my quality of life and lowering my risk of heart disease.

So go red and get your numbers done.
Gina

Because, You Just Never Know

When I started blogging, I made it a point to carry my handy little camera with me because you just never know when something happens that needs to be documented for all the internet world to see. The Princess and I "share" the camera and it has been in her possession for the past week or so due to some photo worthy events and activities of her own. I snagged it yesterday in anticipation of our big romantic valentine/ show choir competition/College Boy's birthday celebration weekend.
I also needed it to take a picture of my sadly bare fireplace mantel so that the nice lady at Pottery Barn can make some suggestions as to what I should do with it now that the Holy Family has been boxed away until next Christmas.

So as I'm venturing in to the CVS drugstore get prints made, I see an unusual sight in the flower bed-- a dead rabbit. Or should I say 1/2 a dead rabbit. I saw it but did not stay and ponder what demise that poor little bunny met to leave it half gone. I did wonder if the CVS drugstore management KNEW there was a 1/2 dead rabbit in their flower bed? I thought I might mention it to them when I checked out but I got distracted by the magazine posing the bigger question of whether Angelina Jolie was pregnant or not. Anyway...

On the way back to the car, I had to pass by the fore-mentioned dead rabbit again, but now it had company. Or should I say something was having it. A hawk, a for real Iowa hawk happily dining on it's order of 1/2 rabbit with mulch on the side. I couldn't resist. I thought the bloggy world might want to see. Close your eyes if your squeamish.

Because, you just never know...

Powerless

For some unknown reason, our power went out for 2 1/2 hours tonight. There was no freezing rain or high winds, no peak usage surge or city-wide blackout...and I didn't forget to pay the electricity bill. It just went out...after dark... and before my tv shows were done taping. Here's what I learned from this short lived power outage:

1. We don't know where all our flashlights are located.
2. If we knew where they all were, we don't know if those flashlights have batteries.
3. The wall switch (electric) that turns on the gas fireplace does work.
4. The fireplace puts out a good amount of light.
5. It is a good thing that I go a little crazy in the Yankee Candle store (see #1)
6. It is not such a good thing when all those scents get mixed together.
7. The Princess is brave. She was home alone when the lights went out.
   
8. The Princess is resourceful. She found all the Yankee Candles and lit them.
   
9. The Princess is determined. She was working on a project and continued doing so by candlelight.
10. I will find glitter paint in the family room carpet for the next 8 months (see #9)
11. We have at least 7 clocks that need to be re-set after you lose electricity.
12. No power, no internet.
13. No power, no American Idol--no Hollywood Round #3
14. And lastly, I am too dependent on all things electrical for my comfort and entertainment.

No longer powerless,
Gina

Can I Get a Witness?

Okay, I have heard the cries of the masses (well, two of you) touting the benefits and life-saving properties of the Snuggie. Apparently during the recent ice storm that impacted the otherwise mild weather states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri--the blanket with sleeves came to the rescue of those who were home bound without heat or electricity. Those testimonies and my own recent budget-busting heating bill have caused me to re-think the Snuggie.

How about you--have you purchased one of these products and if so, how has it changed your life?

What Was She Thinking?

We love her Bible studies. We gather in convention halls, arenas, church auditoriums, and around video screens to hear the message she has for our time. We call her annointed and inspired. We are blessed by her gift of teaching....

But what was she thinking? A Snuggie/Slanket? Seriously?

She's always saying you don't have to pray about pink. Clearly this purchase did not go before the throne either.

With much love and in pure jest,

Gina

I Don't Do Pink

I don't do pink. Black is safe. Green is my signature. Have a like-hate relationship with reds and organges. Sometimes yes to yellow. Rarely blue, except for aqua. Browns are best for my coloring although I am being set free from my obsession to khaki.

Maybe somewhere along the way I was told that redheads (the true, God-given at birth, un-altered by chemicals, color of my hair) should not wear pink. Maybe it was in the Foley's junior fashion and charm classes that I took in 7th grade but whatever the source, I took it to heart and have avoided the color. I don't dislike the color pink--just don't like it on me.

When I was pregnant with The Princess, I wanted to know the sex of child #3--my husband did not. I was happy with boys and could see myself with 3 of them but just in case there was a chance of double x chromosomes, I wanted to be prepared with a more feminine layette. So I found out and kept it to myself--for several months until delivery--so everyone else would be surprised (boys are the genetic norm in our families) and I could be prepared! I bought all manner of lacy, frilly, and pink items in secret. I was determined that girl child would be unmistakably GIRLY. When The Princess finally arrived, she was outfitted from day 1 with everything as far removed from the reds, blues and denims of her older brothers as I could find and always had a bow in her hair--even when there was no hair on which to fasten it. She had her dad's coloring too so she could pull off the pinks--all shades (bright, hot, pepto, electric, soft). That worked until she started getting an opinion of her own and went through her own "no pink" phase.

The other day when I went searching for some late winter additions to ward off the winter wardrobe doldrums, I fell in love with a pink scarf at Walmart and thought it was a bargain at $5. I was also inspired by this gal to try a few new ways to wear the fashion staple scarf. So what if it was pink, if it didn't work for me, I could always pass it along to The Princess who has come back around to "pinkness" in her own wardrobe.

So far I've been surprised at all the ways to wear it.
I pared it with this for work:

And brown corduroy pants and denim jacket for a more casual look:

And am thinking I could do this for an evening look:I may be on to something new. Maybe the lady at Foley's was wrong.-- I could have missed out on a lifetime of pink.

Gina