It's my birthday. I feel old.

This picture is 27 years old today.  Yes, we had color film back then.

I was a VERY intelligent 12 hour old baby.  Note my impression of "The Thinker."

Here I am about 23 years ago. 

Note the freckles. 

Recent Reads

I've been gobbling up lots of books recently and I just love it when an author says something that makes me stop. And read it again.  And again.  And laugh.  Or think.  You know the kind of quotes you just want to share?

Here's a few.  There are tons more, but I didn't want to overwhelm you all with Snicket...

Feel free to share some of your favorite book quotes in the comments!

"...Klaus put a hand on Violet's shoulder, and she smiled at him. Klaus had known for all twelve of his years that his older sister found a hand on her shoulder comforting as long as the hand was attached to an arm, of course."
The Austere Academy, Lemony Snicket



"The espression "following suit" is a curious one, because it has nothing to do with walking behind a matching set of clothing. If you follow suit, it means you do the same thing as somebody else has just done.  If all your friends decided to jump off a bridge into the icy waters of an ocean or river, for instance, and you jumped in right after the, you would be following suit.  You can see why following suit can be a dangerous thing to do, because you could end up drowning simply because somebody else thought of it first."
-The Austere Academy, Lemony Snicket

"...Like lightning the spaniard turned the boat and as the boat drew close the Turk reached out a giant arm and then she was back in the safety of her murderers."
The Princess Bride, William Goldman

Little is Much

Does the place you're called to labor
Seem too small and little known?

Do you ever feel like that?  I do.  Sometimes, I feel like my life is very inconsequential.  Sometimes, I look at the things I do for God, and think Anybody could do this... I'm really not doing much for God at all.  Or, sometimes, I look at my life and think that it's no wonder I'm feeling all alone and hopeless.  I'm not all that important.  God has much more important people to worry about.  

Do you ever think that maybe God has forgotten about you?  I do.  All the time.  

 
It is great if God is in it,
And He'll not forget His own.

A few days ago I was time traveling through my memories and thinking of the days right after high school.  In those days I was haunted with questions.  What are you going to do now?  I didn't have an answer.  But, I had no doubt that I would get an answer.  Soon.  I expected a divine revelation any day.  A giant unveiling of "God's Plan For Rebecca"  Or at the very least a memo with "Step One" printed at the top.  

Do you know, I never got an anwer?  Never.  I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up.  Except.  Oops.  I grew up already.  

So, yeah.  Sometimes I definitely think that maybe God forgot about me.  

But, here's the thing:

Right after high school I asked God what He wanted me to do with my life.  I gave him life and placed my future in His hands.  It's still there.  And maybe that's my answer.  Just give Him my life.  Just surrender.  Just live.  Everyday.  Without an answer.  Let God use me in the day to day stuff.  

There will probably never be an "Answer"  I don't know why I never realized it sooner.  

Some of us are called to definite paths.  Missionaries, people in the ministery.  Some people, God gives them a vocation, a calling with a name.  And they can say "God has called me to be a missionary.  It will be a lot of work, I know it will be hard, I will suffer, but, I know where I am going."  Others don't have anything so clearly-cut, packaged and precise.  Some of us are just called to live for Him.  No matter what comes.  Not knowing what may be asked of us, day in and day out.  But, being ready always to serve Him whatever crosses our paths.  

It is GREAT if God is in it....

Blogger Scattergories

 I was tagged by Lydia


1. What is your name?: Rebecca
 
2. A 4 letter word: Rose
 
3. A boy's name: Rugen (like COUNT Rugen... yeah...)


4. A girl's name: Rosiland (Shakespeare :)
 
5. An occupation: Reporter
 
6. A color: Ruby Red (double points??? :)
 
7. Something you wear: Rouge... (old fashioned term for BLUSH, ya know)

8. A Food: Ranch Dressing??? (I know... that's a terrible answer...)

9. Something found in the bathroom: Razor

10. A place: Rome, Italy

11. A reason for being late: Ran out of gas.....? :)
 
12. Something you shout: RUN!!!
 
13. A movie title: Robin Hood

14. Something you drink:  Root Beer

15. An animal: Rottweiler
 
16. A song title: River God (Nichole Nordeman)
 
17. A verb: Run (can I use it twice?)


So, this was fun!  Open tag!

So.

We are going to Florida.  YAY!

*does spring dance a month early*

Can we all say "VACATION"???

Go ahead. Say it.

Feels good, doesn't it?

Ok... so, I will tell the story about how the Florida trip came to be.  Tomorrow maybe.  Right now, I'm running short on time. And I promise, the story is really kind of interesting.  Well, maybe some people will think it is interesting...

ANYWAY.  We're going the first week of March.  The whole family.  Yes.  All 11 of us.  Flying.  I'm sure we will be quite the spectacle, so, if you're flying that week, keep your eyes peeled.  I'm sure you'll notice the huge group of people if you're anywhere in the same vicinity.  We don't wear matching clothes or anything like that, but we are... umm... conspicuous.  'Conspicuous' is a word which here means "Eleven people all in a group, all looking related is hard to miss." 

Yes.  I've been reading Lemony Snicket.

Yes. I will be taking some Snicket to read on the trip. As well as lots of other books, because, to me,
Vacation=Reading Time

So.  Book suggestions???? 

Everybody tired of hearing about Valentine's Day?

Yeah.  Me too.

Last night Luke (7) was at his choir practice and the director asked "Did anyone do anything special for Valentine's Day?" (what does she think 1st-3rd graders are going to do??????) 

Luke put his hand up. "My sister works at a flower shop!  They're really busy at Valentine's Day!"

So sweet of him!! To think of me!  :)  awww... *big smoochy kisses*

See what I got in the mail, today?

Not the whole series, of course, but about 4 of them.  I'm slowly collecting Lemony Snicket and now I'm only missing THE LAST ONE!  *squeal*  All hardcover too.... :)  three cheers for E-bay!

Tonight I went to the 6th grade play.  A Midwinter Night's Sleepover.  Pretty cute.  My boss's daughter was a fairy.  She was pretty cute.  6th graders reading Shakespeare is an experience everyone should have if they get the chance. :)

Also, voted.  For school superintendent.  7:00 pm.  Voter #61.  Is there something wrong with that? 

Currently Reading: Agatha Christie.  Of course.  :)

*insert witty title*

I am exhausted from V-Day.  Which, by the way, was about half as busy as normal V-Days.  That's what happens when it falls on a weekend.  Bugger. 

But, it's still stressful.  I mostly stress out because we are NOT crazy busy.  Job security and all that... you know...

So, today I'm taking apart the bouquets that didn't sell. 

And rolling up the ribbon. 

And putting away stuff.

De-flating the balloons.

How depressing.

I'd really just like to be at home reading.  Although, I really should be doing my laundry.  Or the dishes.  Or vaccuuming.  But, I have 5 books I want to read.  But, it doesn't really matter, because I'm supposed to be working.

Someone needs to come up with a holiday that is not sweetheart related.  Not lovey-dovey.  Just for friends?  I don't know.  Whatever. 

Where's my Valentine chocolate?

V-Day Rambles.

V-Day means the whole week is different.

• For instance I was off work Monday and Tuesday, so I could work extra Wednesday-Saturday. 
• Extra people working in the shop
• Which is VERY different, since normally there are only 2 people in the shop
• Carol K. comes in 2 days this week, and I haven't seen her since Mother's Day 2008
• Which means LOTS of farm stories, lots of Grandma stories
• Lots of goofing off
• We invented a new game.  Sort of.  It goes like this: Carol "Scissors" (as she roots around for some) Claud "Iris" (as she puts in the bouquet she's working on) Me "Pen" (I have 10 things in my head I have to write down before I forget)  And so on... 
• Tomorrow we will have actual DELIVERY PEOPLE.  :) Yayness!  I don't have to deliver. 
• Guys.  "Um... yeah... I need some flowers... like uh.... what are those? Yeah... I'll take those"
• Or: "What do girls like?  I don't really know....  Here's $60.  Just make me something."
• ALSO Today...  An 85+ year old man hobbled into shop with his cane and bought a very big bouquet and a lb. of chocolate (not normal, since older people usually spend LESS money than young people) and wanted it delivered to "a lady"  But vehemently insisted that she not know who the flowers were from... which is the sort of thing I regularly deal with in college guys... 0_0
• Sad times too.  Moms send their daughters (who just break off a long relationship) flowers.  People cry. 
• SOMETIMES... we get to see engagement rings :)
• Pizza.  'Cause we don't have time to leave, so Lori orders lunch in.  :)
• Candy bouquets
• Plenty of teasing (Oh, Lord) "Rebecca, why don't YOU have a boyfriend yet?" :) 
• Or, "How are you selling all these flowers, Rebecca?  Are you flirting??? " 
• Tired times
• 900 roses
• Red, pink, purple
• LOVE.  (supposedly)

This is your conscience speaking....

buy flowers.... buy flowers... buy flowers...buy flowers...buy flowers.... buy flowers... buy flowers...buy flowers...buy flowers.... buy flowers... buy flowers...buy flowers...buy flowers.... buy flowers... buy flowers...buy flowers...... buy flowers...buy flowers...... buy flowers...buy flowers...... buy flowers...buy flowers...... buy flowers...buy flowers...... buy flowers...buy flowers...... buy flowers...buy flowers...... buy flowers...buy flowers...... buy flowers...buy flowers...... buy flowers...buy flowers...... buy flowers...buy flowers...... buy flowers...buy flowers...

Dr.Jak's How To Stay Warm and Look Fun in The Winter

Looking cute and fashionable in the winter can be a challenge. And I will be the first to admit that there are days when all I want to wear is jeans and a sweatshirt and I don't even care how I look!

Here's some quick tips to help you stay fashionable and warm at the same time:

1. We have to wear coats and hats, scarves and mittens so why not invest in some cute outerwear options? I love to mix and match scarves and hats, and try to match the colors with what I'm wearing at the time. Most of us don't have a budget that allows for endless coats and accessories, so when you do pick out a winter coat make sure you put plenty of thought into it. I like to stay away from black and brown and stick with more neutral colors that will go with any outfit.

Then I go crazy with accessories! If you're a knitter or crocheter go ahead and make some pretty scarves and hats and mix them up! Try different color combinations!

Check out the web for pictures of colors and textures to inspire you!

2. Wear Longjohns/Leggings, whatever.  They are a great investment I promise you! 

3.  Layers!  Layers are very popular and lucky for us very warm.  And here's a hint: Don't pack away your summer clothes.  Keep them as options right along with your winter wardrobe.  Wear a summer top with a long sleeved blouse underneath, throw a sweater and scarf over top and you're ready to go!  I've also seen a lot of people wearing capris or shorts with cute leggings and boots.  And summer skirts are totally ok, too!  Wear them with tights and boots or jeans.  There are no rules.  Use your creative juices and...

4.  Just because it's winter don't be afraid of using color.  On dreary days color is exactly what we need!

5.  Accessorize!  Accessories are a great way to bring color and style into any outfit.  A chunky necklace will totally dress up jeans and plain shirt.  Wear a pretty scarf in your hair, or tie it around your waist, or neck. 

6.  Don't be afraid to try something new!  Mix and match your jewelry.  Check out the vintage scarves at the thrift store.  Wear a summer top with a winter skirt.  Maybe buy a color you've never tried before?  I promise you'll feel adventurous!

Hello, Monday

Hello, everyone!

I feel as if I've been absent for a very long time, although obviously I was just here on Thursday.  Speaking of which did ya'll watch that video of my brother and sister?  So proud of them!

So, this Saturday is V-DAY!!!  *SCREAM*  Ok, not that bad, really.  Actually, not bad at all.  My work schedule this week is totally random because of the holiday.  I have days off at the beginning of the week to make room for me being able to work at the end of the week.  So, it's kind of nice having these days off.  I have plans to get a lot done.  But, to be totally honest... the things I want to get done mostly involve reading.  But, I've decided I deserve to take it easy on myself before the craziness that is V-Day overtakes my life. 

Um, lets see...

Saturday was an all around crummy day.  And now for the bad news.  I have a cold. 
(name that movie?) :)

Anyway, I've been coming down with this cold since Friday and Saturday was the worst.  Fever in the night, achey joints, swollen throat, stuffy nose, pressured sinuses, headache, burning eyes.  Oh yes.  The works.  So, I spent the day sniffling, sucking on cough drops, and reading Shakespeare.  (Burning eyes do not deter me)

And then, on top of that, we watched Dear Frankie.  (Which, by the way is rated PG-13 for good reason, and would be a totally recommendable show except for some crude "humor" in a couple spots. And language.)  But, anyway.  Whoa.  I cried buckets.  I'd never seen it before.  Why did no one warn me?  (I get extra emotional when I'm sick.)

And also.  My brother re-named the ice cream machines at DQ.  RE-NAMED THEM!  Of all the outrages!!!  I suppose I gave up claim to them when he took over cleaning them, but really.
The new names?  Bob, Pete and Leroy. 
The originals? Tante and Pip (we've acquired another machine since my time)
And he had the nerve to comment that MY names were "unoriginal"....  compared to Bob, Pete, and Leroy?  Whatever. 

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday.

Be sure to stop at the IDD BLOG today and check out Krista's beautiful poetry.

Oh! And pass the word!! 

"Love is a Fallacy"

For everyone that hasn't already seen this on Lydia's blog, here is Lydia and Joe's forensic's duo! Which won them 3rd place in the tournament and a spot at the regional tournament in Cincinatti in May! I'm very, very proud of my "little" brother and sister. :)
This, obviously isn't the actual performance that they did at the tournament. It's a video taken a few weeks ago at the practice tournament.
Enjoy!

25 Random Facts About Me

1. I'm addicted to collecting purse. My family rolls their eyes at this.
2. I never in a million years would have guessed I would have a career in flowers. But, I do. Go figure.
3. I love to read, and I feel depressed if I don't spend at least an hour reading everyday....
4. I'm chronically shy. Getting better, but still have no skillz in conversation... :(
5. If I had lived 100 years ago, it would've been ok by me!
6. I'm not really into Jane Austen's stuff as much as I pretend to be... *hides*
7. I love to cook, but mostly because I love to eat.
8. I don't have a dream job, or dream career or anything that I would LOVE to do.... when people ask me what my goal in life is I have no answer. I just want to be happy.
9. ^My goal in life used to be to marry and raise a family. I'd still like that, but I'm grateful now that I didn't get married when I thought I should have. (I guess I'm trying to say that I enjoy being single :)
10. I do not have a favorite color. I have favorite color combinations... which change frequently.
11. I have rearranged the furniture in my bedroom 5 times since moving into this house 15 months ago.
12. I know how to do a lot of things, but am not proficient at any of them.
13. I love coffee. Love it.
14. I would LOVE to write a book and have it published.
15. I also have chronic writer's block.
16. I have 8 younger brothers and sisters and I'm on good terms with ALL of them.
17. I lived at home until 15 months ago, and I loved it.
18. I don't like pink.
19. My hair can be curly, or straight... or whatever. It has a mind of it's own.
20. Most people think I'm much more talkative/responsible/good than I actually am.
21. When I was 15 I seriously considered the hermit life.
22. I am a fashion fanatic.
23. I watch makeup tutorials on YouTube. *hides*
24. I love my house to be sparklling clean, but hate cleaning.
25. I am not in the least mechanically minded
open tag :)

On Beauty

Krista's post on Ordinary Beauty has had me thinking for a while now.
The thoughts are percolating in my head.  :)

And then the other day I had an interesting conversation with my 2 year old sister, as I fixed her hair for her:

Me: "That's a very nice face you have"
Little Sister: "God gave it to me"

Other than the immediate "awww" reaction, I immediately was touched at her simplicity.  Her absolute trust in God.  He did give her her face.  And why would He ever give her anything not nice?  He loves her!

I once heard someone say that when we complain about our own appearance we are saying to God: "I don't like your gift.  Take it back."

As a young girl I struggled greatly with my appearance.  I hated my freckles.  Hated my boring eye color.  Hated my half curly/half straight hair.  Hated my crooked teeth.  I never once looked in the mirror and thanked God for giving me a face at all.

There's really nothing wrong with my face.  It's perfectly functional.  And God made it just for me.  No one else has it.

I guess I haven't completely overcome my vanity.  (That's what it is, really.  I'm not vain in the sense that I think I'm beautiful, rather my vanity comes in the form of being too vain to show my face without first taking a good long look in the mirror and doing what I can to make myself look better.)

Like, I said :) I haven't overcome vanity.  But, I resolve to look in the mirror everyday and thank the Lord for designing my face.  Just for me.

January Books Read

1. The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner (****) -The third installment in Megan Whalen Turner's Attolia series. It may be my favorite so far. Plot twists as usual, even though by the time you get to the third book you totally expect them. Still, with Megan Whalen Turner you're never sure WHAT exactly will happen. I liked that she centered most of the story around a new character and that we see so much of what happens through his eyes. It makes the other characters even more mysterious even though we've read all about them in the The Thief and The Queen of Attolia. The stories take place in a fictional place and time period, so they definitely fall into the "Fantasy" catorgory. Also, some language, which I don't care for.




2. The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor- (****) Huge fantasy warning. If you don't like fantasy, you won't like this book. BUT. Extremely well written. The book is about Alyss in Wonderland. Except, Wonderland is real. And Alyss really belongs there. Some violence, because Alyss must battle her evil Aunt Redd for the throne. I love this book. I want to live in Wonderland.



3. The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall- (*****) yes. five stars. This is the sequel to The Penderwicks which I read last year. I was delighted to discover that there was a sequel. The story follows four sisters, who are absolutely delightful. I wish I had read this book when I was 12. It doesn't matter, though, because I love it now, too! Highly recommended for anyone. The only gripe I have is: Do we HAVE to have romance for 12 year olds???



4. The Bue Sword by Robin McKinley- (***) Award winning book and it's easy to see why. Very well written and exciting. BUT, definitely of the fantasy genre, which isn't my favorite genre. I can only take so much fantasy and having already read The Looking Glass Wars this month I had already reached my fantasy intake limit. It's just that I can only take so much fantasy before it starts to irritate me. I prefer reading about things that could actually happen, I guess. :)


5. Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie- (***) Not my favorite Christie. I figured this mystery out before Hercule Poirot told us the answer, and I prefer to be surprised. It just makes the reading more enjoyable. However, as all Christie's books are, this one is funny and intriguing.


6. Destination Unknown by Agatha Christie- (*****) Maybe the best Christie I've ever read. Totally thrilling. Plot twists, espionage, politics, corrupt scientists. Everything. Definitely recommended. mild swearing.



7. Gone in a Heartbeat, Our Daughters Died, Our Faith Endures by David and Marie Works- (*****) Excellent. Must Read. REVIEWED HERE




8. The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne duPrau- (*****) This is the fourth and final Book of Ember and it wraps the series up quite nicely. I really loved it. The People of Sparks was a bit dissapointing to me, I liked it, but the thrill and magic from the first book wasn't there. The Diamond of Darkhold was very reminiscent of the feel of City of Ember and had much of the same excitement and mystery of it. Very satisfying ending. Recommended for anyone. (After, of course, you have read the other books of the series, although, I admit, I skipped book three The Prophet of Yonwood.)




9. The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye- (*****) Absolutely DELIGHTFUL. A must read for any girl. Seriously. So sweet. Highly recommended. Boys could read it too. Wouldn't hurt them. :)



10. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis- (*****) Have I mentioned that I LOVE NARNIA? I have? *sheepish grin* Ok, well, I do. And I think Dawn Treader may be one of my favorites.



11. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis- (*****) So, obviously, I'm on a Narnia kick. If you haven't read The Chroncicles of Narnia yet... read them already!!!!! I love this one. Love Sasha. Love Bree. Love Hwin. Love Aravis. Love it.



12. Vienna Prelude by Bodie Thoene- (*****) The Thoene's books are some of the best historical fiction on the market. I love them. I definitely recommend these to anyone who is interested in history. Not recommended for very young readers, because of violence.


13. Robin Hood by????? - (***) This is an old, old book that I got I think at a used bookstore or something... Anyway, pretty good. I love anything Robin Hood, so it was fun. :)



14. The Secret at Red Gate Farm by Carolyn Keene- (***) Pretty good as Nancy Drew's go. :) I wonder why they don't write books like this anymore?? Nancy and her friends are always model citizens... good examples for young people.