This is the winter that never ends....

Yes, it goes on and on my friends....

some people started livin' here not knowing where they were...

and they'll continue livin' here forever just because...

this is the winter that never ends....



I really thought it was over... I almost started planting my garden.

but, it snowed again.

Wrist Corsages

It's that time of year all over the United States when girls turn into princesses. They get a date, a pretty dress, a makeover, a gorgeous hairdo, new shoes, acrylic nails, jewelry, they get to ride in a limo and have a fancy dinner and jump into a vat of glitter. And they get flowers.

We like to help them out with the flowers. Here are some of my favorites this year...

New Link

There's a new blog link over in "my favorite blogs" BRUSH UP WITH DAISY That's my little sis... so check her out!

Tagged!

I was tagged by Erica

Here are the rules:

1. Write your own six word memoir.
2.Post it on your blog, and include a visual illustration if you so desire.
3.Link to the person who tagged you in their post.
4.Tag five more blogs with links.
5.Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs inviting them to play.

My six word memoir:

I am a big sister again.

I tag:

Serena
Merry
Kristi
Tyson
Katie

Bible Challenge Week Twelve!!! LAST WEEK!

Monday: Acts 6:8 thru Acts 16:37

Tuesday: Acts 16:38 through Acts 28:16

Wednesday: Acts 28:17 thru Romans 14:23

Thursday: Romans 15:1 thru 1 Corinthians 14:40

Friday: 1 Corinthians 15:1 thru Galatians 3:25

Saturday: Galations 3:26 thru Col. 4:18

Sunday: 1 Thess 1:1 thru Philemon 25

Monday: Heb 1:1 through James 3:12

Tuesday: James 3:13 through 3 John 14

Wednesday: Jude 1 through Revelation 22:21


You're done!!! Great job!!!

How does my garden grow??

I don't know... I've never had a garden of my own... But, this year! We will!!! Can we do it??? YES! WE! CAN!!!

Actual Proof: Tomato and Pepper plants that actually sprouted!!!!

Fashion

Dr. Jak's Remedy. Guaranteed to cure what ails your hair in 30 short seconds.

ProficioCapitus
AKA: The Hat

In which I expound on the fabulousness of my new stove!

Old stove: Very cute and retro, I admit. Nice to look at. But, if you worried about your house blowing up every time you turned it on, and if you were an expert at putting out fires in places there shouldn't be fires... you'd want a new stove too.

Pretty, isn't it???

So nice and clean.... and all the burners work!
And there are no gas leaks!

Yippee!!!

Bible Challenge Week Eleven

Monday: Matthew 26:57 thru Mark 9:13

Tuesday: Mark 9:14 thru Luke 1:80

Wednesday: Luke 2:1 thru Luke 9:62

Thursday: Luke 10:1 thru Luke 20:19

Friday: Luke 20:20 thru John 5:47

Saturday: John 6:1 thru John 15:17

Sunday: John 15:19 thru Acts 6:7

You're in the homestretch!!!!

How is everyone doing??

And I'm AWOL....again...

I've got several blog posts in the works. Well, in the "still in my brain" stage anyway. Once I get a camera back I'll be on the road again... reminds me of a song my mom and dad used to sing: "Becca Joy is on the road again" Guess we used to travel a lot when I was little.... Anyway, I'm rambling again... so I'll talk more later!

Movie Review: August Rush

A little Musical History:

-Katie: violinist, plays in orchestras, Handle, Baccherini, understands theory, probly would have gotten along well with Vivaldi...

-Me: plays piano, (notice I didn't call myself a pianist, I'll save that title for people that actually deserve it.) I'm one of those people that believes music is an art. So, I treat it in the same whimsical fashion that I treat all the other artsy things in my life. I disregard pattern, throw in some color, and slap it together hapharzardly and decide the finished product is original and therefore "artistic." Where other people may say "imperfect" or "amateur" I prefer "impressionistic" or "conceptual" :)

-Steph: took piano lessons once upon a time. Loves music. Her instrument is the CD player.

ok, on to the movie:

The story is this: A young cellist and a rock star wannabe meet at a party. They hit if off right away but are seperated the next day. Note: there is a reason my little brother won't be watching this movie. It has what we call "other" or "fast forward" scenes. :) Also, more swearing that I'm really comfortable with, although, it is only rated PG. Eleven years later their son is all alone in an orphanage.

Social Worker: "How long have you been here, Evan?"
Evan: "Eleven years, 16 days... I've been counting"

His name is Evan and he dreams of finding his family and insists that he can hear them through music. He is certain that his parents love him. He sets off on his own to find them. From this point on the movie takes an "Oliver Twist" turn. Complete with a Fagan-like character, who instead of teaching the boys how to "pick a pocket or two" teaches them to play their music on street corners. The movie revolves around Evan, and his parents, living separate lives, all trying to find each other. Will the music bring them together?

ok, so sounds corny? well, it is...

So, we walked out of the theater...

Me: (who by the way, started crying half way through the movie, wiping tears as we exit) "That was sooo good... actually, you know what??? it was really corny!"
Katie: "No, it wasn't! I loved it !!! It could totally happen."
Steph: "Eh... yeah, it was ok."

So, if you're a music lover, you'll love it. Otherwise, you'll probably laugh... just warning you...

Quiz I stole from Debbie

1. Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?

Lord of the Rings trilogy. I know I should read them. I know I should. I just... don't. That is irrational, isn't it?

2. Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde, you are told you can't die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for a while, eventually you realize it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?

hmmm... well, War and Peace might be boring... then again, I might get interested in it and live longer... :)

3. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you’ve read, when in fact you’ve been nowhere near it?

*looks around* *whispers* I haven't actually read Pride and Prejudice all the way through *dives behind sofa*

4. You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Adviser to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why?

Depends on what kind of VIP. Seriously, I would try to find something that was entertaining and addressed issues I knew they would be interested in. So, this is a tough question. Off the top of my head... Looking Glass Wars, Chronicles of Narnia, just to whet the appetite, they're easy reads and very engrossing. Then, we'd start on Dicken's, because VIP's just need to read Dicken's. And Hugo.

5.A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with?

Hmm.... probly French

6. A mischievous fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you choose?
What book am I not already reading annually? :) Ok, I'll say, Nicholas Nickleby, or no, Our Mutual Friend, or wait! Emma! no, no.... Looking Glass Wars, or The Ark, or The Chestry Oak...The Count of Monte Cristo! *ahem* I need to quit my job and become a full-time reader. Is there anyone out there willing to pay me to do that? *smiles angelically*


7. That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leather-bound? Is it full of first edition hard covers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead – let your imagination run free.

ok, big, lots of windows, super comfy chairs, espresso machine, leather bound books, sure, some expensive first editions, sure, that would be fun. Just a library!

Why are weekends so short?

Seriously, who invented weekends? what crazy person got to decide that we only get 2 days a week to recuperate, and take care of personal things? My personal life is MUCH more important to me than my work life.

However, considering that I sleep approx 9 hours every night, and work about 9 hours every day, that leaves only 6 hours a day to: take care of my personal needs, get my reading done, spend time with my family, cook,eat, clean, blog, ALL the other internet responsibilities I have, take care of my dog, pay bills, do laundry, shop, etc. So, of course, some things don't always get done. Like cleaning for instance :) Also, I am seriously considering converting to shopping exclusively online. What do you think? Maybe that would be weird to have UPS deliver my Charmin and milk and eggs? hmm...

Weekends are supposed to be for working on special projects and relaxing, right? well, they usually end up being about catching up, (which doesn't really get accomplished, either)
So, I was thinking about that the other day and wondering just how it is that I manage to do everything I do in a day. One word (or maybe it's 2, I'll let you decide): MULTI-TASKING! This, however, is a very draining thing, so this is probably a logical explanation for why I am always so tired.

I have 2 options at this point. Drop some of my things, or drink more coffee.
I think I'll go with the coffee option. I love my crazy busy life.
(even if I complain sometimes)

Bible Challenge Week Ten

Monday:Daniel 9:1 thru Hosea 13:6

Tuesday: Hos 13:7 thru Amos 9:10

Wednesday: Amos 9:11 thru Nahum 3:19

Thursday: Hab 1:1 thru Zechariah 10:12

Friday: Zec 11:1 thru Matthew 4:25

Saturday: Matthew 5:1 thru Matt 15:39

Sunday: Matt 16:1 thru Matt 26:56

Weekend Project

Updating my blogger template and profile picture to something more spring-ish...

what do you think?

another quiz.... for fun!

1. Name someone who made you smile today? Sarah B.

2. What were you doing at 8:00 this morning? Sleeping :hide

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? working

4. Name something that happened to you in 1992? I can't remember what happened yesterday.... you know? that was 16 years ago!

5. When is your birthday? February 27th

6. Four words to explain why you last threw up? can't remember last time

7. What color is your hairbrush? ummm.... black?

8. What was the last thing you bought? Gas.... *chops off arm and leg*

.9.here do you keep your money? what money?

10. What was the weather like today? Cloudy, rainy, and cold.

11. Where did your last hug take place? At Mom's house

12. What are you excited about? The Weekend!

13. Do you want to cut your hair? yes :( I have split ends...

14. Are you over the age of 25? yes

15. Do you talk a lot? I don't know... do I?

16. Do you watch The O.C.? O.C.????? UM..... no.

17. Does your screen name have an "x" in it? no

18. Do you know anyone named Kelsey? no

19. Do you make up your own words? yep

20. Are you ticklish? um..... *pleads the fifth*

21. Are you typically a jealous person? I don't think so

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter "C": Catherine

23. Who's the last person to call you? Mom... who lost something... that I filed in the wrong place... oops

24. Do you chew on your straws? emphatially, no!

25. Do you have curly hair? yes

26. What is the next concert you're going to? probly South Pacific (does that count as a concert?)

27.Where did you go today? To work. Out delivering flowers....

28. What is something you say a lot? oops

29. Have you seen the movie 'Donnie Darko'? I've never heard of it.

30. Do you have to work tomorrow? No! that is what is so wonderful about weekends!!!!!!!!!!

31. Who was the last person you said "I love you" to? Mom

32. What should you be doing right now? reading my Bible

33. Do you have a nickname? Jak

34. Are you a heavy sleeper? sometimes

35. What are you listening to? Steph washing dishes

36. What is the best movie you've seen in the past two weeks? Enchanted *sigh*

37. Is there anyone you like right now? I like everyone!

38. When was the last time you did the dishes? last night

39. Did you cry today? no

Dollar store wedding dress

Dollar stores don't actually sell wedding dresses... but if you're as ingenius as this girl, you might be able to make one with dollar store purchases.

THE DOLLAR STORE WEDDING DRESS

Days like today...

make me feel like whining all day.

rain, rain, rain, SO windy, and freeeeezing cold. evidently my boss has decided to cut expenses by cutting out the heating bill. it was only 53 degrees today in the shop. brrrr....

so, I want to whine and cry and blow my nose and go home and get a big comforter and 20 cups of hot chocolate.

into every life a little rain must fall
some days must be cold and dark and dreary

then I'm reminded I don't have it so bad... when the man who lost his wife 2 weeks ago to a horrible skin cancer comes into the shop to pay his bill. he's dealing with his grief in a different way... he wants to talk. a lot. so, I listen. and I think... I don't have it so bad...

SOMEbody has been watching too much Enchanted...

Or else my chocoholic-ness has reached a new level.


Yesterday I found myself standing in front of a freezer at Wal-Mart looking at a display of

chocolate pies

Grinning like it's going out of style and clutching my hands in ecstasy.

Giselle fashion.
Hmmm...... :)

Book Review: The Ark

The Ark, by Margot Benary-Isbert.

If you are one of those highly blessed people whose library actually owns a copy of this book, CHECK IT OUT!!

Or, if you're willing to take it on my recommendation alone and buy it, you can get it on AMAZON HERE for only $24. E-bay isn't any cheaper.

Why is it so expensive? Because it's rare. I couldn't even find a picture of it, to show you, and alas I already returned my copy to the library.

But, if you can get this book, do! It was so very good!!

I'll give you a little history.

Margot Benary-Isbert, lived in Germany during World War II. After the war was over she and her husband were relocated (their house had been destroyed) to a one family apartment which they shared with two other families. Margot wrote this book by candlelight while they lived there. So, if you're wondering about aunthenticity, don't. This is a very clear and accurate picture of life in a defeated country.

The book tells the story of the Lechow family. They're not Nazis, but they live in Germany. The father is a Dr. who was drafted and sent to the front lines in Russia. Their house is destroyed in a bomb, which also takes the life of one son. The family is moved around to various refugee camps, and finally after the war is over the housing office sends them to live with an elderly woman who has two attic rooms for them. The heart of the story is the strong binds of family love, it is the only thing that remains to this family who has lost absolutely everything. Including their future. Every plan they might have had is thrown out the window as they fight just to survive.

I can't tell you how much this book affected me. It is clearly and simply written, and the author's yearning for better times jumps off the page and right into the reader's heart.

I've got 2 thumbs, they're both up.

Bible Challenge Week Nine

I am so sorry I didn't get this posted earlier!!

Monday: Jer 33:23 thru Jer 47:7

Tuesday: Jer 48:1 thru Lamentations 1:22

Wednesday: La 2:1 thru Ezekiel 12:20

Thursday: Eze 12:21 thru Eze 23:19

Friday: Eze 23:20 thru Eze 35:15

Saturday: Eze 36:1 thru Eze 47:12

Sunday: Eze 47:13 thru Daniel 8:27

You made it through the toughest reading of all. It will get easier from here on out, and the books are much shorter which is encouraging!

I am...

Who are you in Anne's Circle of Friends?

who are you?

I don't know

if I'll be around much the rest of the week. Sorry, I'm not organized enough this week to have posts made up ahead of time...

It's just one of those weeks... you know? you probly never have them... :)

We've got guests coming this weekend, and the play all weekend too. So, that's 3 performances, plus dress rehearsal, plus guests to entertain, food to make, besides fitting in the normal work schedules...

Stephanie and I and another friend are in charge of filming the play... so that should be interesting.

On another note, I spent all night tonight baking for the weekend, Sarah Beth helped me, she was so cute!! I wished I had a camera! I gave her a little bowl with some sugar in it and she stirred it very diligently for an hour. She kept asking for new things to put in her "cookies" but I just let her have the sugar. At one point I turned around to find her with sugar on her fingers, and her fingers in her mouth, she looked quite guilty, so I only reprimanded her a little... she was very quiet, and then she said: "Becca? I love you." Oh!! so sweet!! I love you too, sweetie!!!

So, anyway, hopefully next week I'll have play pictures for you all!! And I'm working on a book review and a movie review, too, so those will be coming up!

stay tuned...

Book Review: Prisoner in the Third Cell

AUNT ALICE sent me this book.

"Prisoner in the third cell" hmmm... interesting.

It's an easy read. Only 80 pages. Fascinating. Truly. Especially the last 10 pages.

The question is not, "Why is God doing this? Why is He like this?" The question is not, "Why did He not answer me?" The question is not, "I need Him desperately, why does He not come rescue me?... The question before the house is this: "Will you follow a God you do not understand? Will you follow a God who does not live up to your expectations?..... 'And blessed are you if you are not offended with me."

I give it 2 thumbs up. And recommend you read it.