you probly all want to know...

You Are a Plain Ole Cup of Joe

But don't think plain - instead think, uncomplicated You're a low maintenance kind of girl... who can hang with the guys Down to earth, easy going, and fun! Yup, that's you: the friend everyone invites. And your dependable too. Both for a laugh and a sympathetic ear.

What Kind of Coffee Girl Are You?


HA!!! I must have answered some of the questions wrong....

Painting the Kitchen Red

"So, you're Renee's daughters?"
We sat at a table, stitching (and ripping) mermaid costumes and making small talk with homeschool moms and daughters.
"Yes!" we're happy enough to admit
"And you're the oldest 3?"
"Yes, we are"
"So, how do you girls like living on your own?"
"We like it a lot"
"Didn't you paint your kitchen red?"

so, the truth comes out... this is what my mom tells her friends. 'My daughters moved away from home. They painted their kitchen red'
"Ummm... yeah (a little sheepishly) we did..."
Homeschool mom laughs. "My daughters moved out on their own... they painted their kitchen red too!"

AH.... so it's a trend...

It's all quite funny, really. It's not as if we're doing anything truly crazy. Painting the kitchen red is not at all symbolic. There are no allusions toward painting the town red. It's just the kitchen. That's all.

We're just young, and we're trendy (sort of)....

Dinner

Hi, my name is Rebecca...I like to take pictures of my food...
all together: "Hi Rebecca"

I also like to sneak around in my sister's room looking for the camera while the girl's are sleeping...

I love color, everywhere, even in my food...

This is Tomatoes, Olives, Cilantro and cubed Mozzarella
(of course I chopped it all up on my lime green cutting board)

I put it all in some Pasta with Sausage and Shrimp, squeezed a Lime over it and dusted it with Parmesan...
because you can never have too much cheese on your pasta

Play Costumes

The homeschool support group here is ambitious enough to produce a play every year. This year it's Peter Pan! Katie volunteered to help with costumes and was put in charge of the mermaids. So, this past Saturday we got together and whipped out 5 mermaid costumes for these lovely ladies....We put together the basic costumes and sent them home with their respective actresses and instructions to decorate them however they liked. Can't wait to see what they come up with!

Bible Challenge Week Six

Monday: Nehemiah 13:15 thru Job 7:21

Tuesday: Job 8:1 thru Job 24:25

Wednesday: Job 25:1 thru Job 41:34

Thursday: Job 42:1 through Psalm 24:10

Friday: Psalm 25:1 thru Psalm 45:14

Saturday: Psalm 45:15 thru Psalm 69:21

Sunday: Psalm 69:22 through Psalm 89:13

What to post???

hmmm...

Well... for some reason I've been feeling pretty stressed out lately. Not sure why unless is has something to do with my job uncertainties, life uncertainties, busy schedules, piles of unfinished work, irritating dog, WINTER!!!, mud everywhere...

I guess it might have something to do with one of those things... or all :-)

Anyway, it's Friday, which is a always a very nice thing. Even when my Saturday is already jam packed crazy, it's still nice to think that this week is almost over.

And tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it.

Yet.

Saturday Morning Pancakes

Saturday Morning means pancakes.... as you can see the recipe has been quadrupled for the times when we fed 11 people with this recipe.

Perfect Morning Light


Perfect Pancakes

Creamy Coffee

In His Steps

I remember when my Grandma first mailed me this book. I was probably in 5th or 6th grade and literally devouring every book I could get my hands on. But, my taste ran more towards light fiction... as Molly Gibson said: "I don't much care for steady reading as Papa calls it" Well, I read a lot of Nancy Drew, anyway...

So, Grandma thought I ought to read something with a little more value, and so she sent me one of her favorites In His Steps. Being a teacher she also required a book report. I dragged my feet... I had a pile of Nancy Drew to read... but, once I picked it up, I never regretted it. I loved it.

"What I am going to propose now is something which ought
not to appear unusual or at all impossible of execution....
I want volunteers from the First Church
who will pledge themselves, earnestly and honestly for an entire year,
not to do anything without first asking the question,
"What would Jesus do?"
And after asking that question, each one will follow Jesus
as exactly as he knows how,
no matter what the result may be..."

Bible Challenge Week Five

Monday: 1 Chron 1:1 thru 1Chron 9:44

Tuesday: 1 Chron 10:1 thru 1 Chron 23:32

Wednesday: 1 Chron 24:1 thru 2 Ch 7:10

Thursday: 2 Ch 7:11 thru 2 Ch 23:15

Friday: 2 Ch 23:16 thru 2 Ch 35:15

Saturday: 2 Ch 35:16 thru Ezra 10:44

Sunday: Nehemiah 1:1 thru Neh 13:14


How is everyone doing?

California Homeschooling Ban

GO HERE to read this terrible development.

Cranberry Chicken Roll-ups

3 chicken breasts, thawed
1/4 cup cranberries
1/2 onion
dab of butter
2 tbsp walnuts chopped
1 slice bacon, crumbled
3 slices Mozzarella cheese
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp mustard
2 tbsp. fruit jelly





Pound chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thickness. Saute onion in butter, add cranberries, cinnamon, mustard and jelly. Spoon cranberry mixture into center of the chicken breasts, sprinkle 1/2 of the walnuts and bacon on top of cranberries. Roll up chicken and place seam side down in baking dish. Top with a slice of mozzerella cheese and sprinkle with remaining walnut and bacon mixture.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Good with Rice Pilaf.

Brett Favre

If you don't live in Wisconsin you probably won't understand....

Let's just say he's the most popular guy in the state. He's been threatening retirement for 3 or 4 years now. Every year,
we all hold our breath, we say things to each other like:
"He'll never do it, he loves the game too much."
or
"He can't leave after a season like the one we just had."
and then some pessimistic person always says:
"He's getting old you know."

At the end of the last season, we all thought it was over. We watched the last few minutes of the last game and knew it would be his last. Lukey cried.

But! He came back!! Yahoo!!

I delivered Packers balloons to high school boys that missed the announcement because they were in class.

Then the team had a good year. They almost made it to the super bowl. But, they didn't. When they lost that last game, Lukey cried again.

Then, the big day came. Favre made his decision. He decided he really was getting old. He retired.

So, Dad took Lukey on his lap, and said gently: "Luke, Brett Favre decided that he's done playing football, he's going to retire. He won't be back next year."

Luke's response? "Who's going to replace him?"

Dad: "Well, Favre is done. This is it." (trying to drive home the point)

Luke: "That's ok. I reacted too much last time."

Double Chocolate Dream Cookies

Double Chocolate Dream Cookies
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups chocolate chips


Beat shortening, brown sugar, white sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Beat in eggs about 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.

Combine flour, cocoa, soda and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to shortening mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets, flatten slightly. Bake in pre-heated 375 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until puffed. Let stand 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes 4 1/2 dozen cookies.

Bible Challenge Week Four

Monday: 1 Sam 28:20 thru 2 Sam 12:10

Tuesday: 2 Sam 12:11 thru 2 Sam 22:18

Wednesday: 2 Sam 22:19 thru 1 Kings 7:37

Thursday: 1 Kings 7:38 thru 1 Kings 16:20

Friday: 1 Kings 16:21 thru 2 Kings 4:37

Saturday: 2 Kings 4:38 through 2 Kings 15:26

Sunday: 2 Kings 15:27 thru 2 Kings 25:30

It's Friday!!!

Fridays may be the best days ever. Fridays come right before Saturdays.
Which means that on Fridays I have the luxury of spending all day
looking forward to Saturday.
Ordinarily on a Friday I wake up with plans bouncing around in my head.
I jump up and grab a notepad,
Fridays are the day that I make lists of all the things I plan to do Saturday.
The list is usually VERY long...
and usually, I lose the list,
in fact USUALLY I end up making 6 or 7 lists throughout the day,
because I misplace all of them.
But that's beside the point.
Also beside the point is the fact that I never actually refer to one of those lists
on Saturday.

Pursuing Happiness

"It was right then that I started thinking about Thomas Jefferson on the Declaration of Independence and the part about our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And I remember thinking how did he know to put the pursuit part in there?"
-Chris Gardener
The Pursuit of Happyness

Have you seen this movie? The Pursuit of Happyness? I reviewed it HERE on my blog. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. The "Pursuing Happyness" part. Maybe it's the job hunt that got me going.

See, I have this idea that my goal in life is to be happy. It's a good goal right?? I thought so. But, it's a tough one.

I'm smart enough to know that if I run around wildly trying to do everything that will make me happy, I'll probably end up miserable. Ultimately happiness isn't in how many books I'll read in my lifetime, or how many yummy dinners I cook, or how many shopping trips I take.

I like to do all of these things, it DOES make me happy to read a good book. But, it's a short lived happiness, it will last during the story, and if it's a really good book, the glow will stick around for a few days afterward. After that it will fade and only resurface in memories. "That was a good book." I might read it again, looking to go back to that happy place. But, it will never be that good again, never as good as the first time.

So, I've been thinking about continual happiness and wondering if it's really possible.

As a single young lady, it's easy to blame my discontent on my singleness. But, I strive not to do that. Of course, I wish for marriage. It's only natural. It's a good desire. But, it won't bring me continual happiness.

So, what kind of happiness should I be pursuing?? There's only one kind that will last forever, that won't fade with time.

Psalm 144:15 "Happy is that people whose God is the Lord."

Today

Is my 26th birthday... it feels a little wierd but I'm not as sad as I thought I would be. So far today I've been serenaded 3 times, eaten ice cream, had a job interview, got a lovely card from my bosses little girl. She is a an absolute terror and usually follows me around trying to bug me... she wrote me a sweet note "Rebecca, you are an awesome person, you're like the sister I've always wanted, you rock." *LOL* she torments her brothers, too, so maybe it's a sign of affection?
My job interview went well, I think. If nothing else, I got a great opportunity to meet our Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and find out exactly what it is she does. We had a great chat and I left with a huge appreciation for our Chamber of Commerce and everything they do for the community. It may not be the job for me, but I wholeheartedly wish them luck finding the right person.

Quiz that I stole from Katie, who stole from Valerie

1.) If I were a doll, the accessories packaged with me would be:

books, movies, a pot and pan, flowers

2.) I have an irrational fear of:
breaking my pinky finger

3.) What type of food do you eat at your grandparents house?
pickles

4.) What weight were you when you were born?
4 lbs. 10 oz.

5.) What would you do if you were stranded on an island with the person you hate most?
Probably cry. Then there would be nothing to do but TRY to make friends!

6.) What would you do if you found out you had been cheated on?
be crushed

7.) Do you stalk anyone on MySpace?
NO

8.) I find the thought of childbirth:
EXCITING!! or do you mean the labor? scary

9.) Next door to my house is:
a construction site

10.) My feet are:
hurting right now

11.) My preferred style of jeans is:
boot cut

12.) Do you play a musical instrument?
piano, a little guitar, even less violin

13.) Know how to cook?
you bet!

14.) I am annoyed with:
my dog...

15.) What is the worst way you were dumped??
I never have...

16.) What child-related smell do you not like?
Lysol *gag*

17.) What sea creature scares you?
whichever one it is that is poisonous

18.) What color hair do most of the people you are around have?
Brown

19.) What object have you broken most recently?
a vase

20.) Name one of the Spice Girls.
*is blank*

21.) What was the last thing to make you cry?
my life

22.) What are the stems on wine glasses for?
for holding?

23.) My favorite shoes are:
I have lots of favorites :-)

24.) Can you use chopsticks?
me? chopsticks? NO

25.) Do you prefer beaches or forests?
I don't have a preference. I love them both

26.) What serial killer do you find most disturbing?
I'd rather not think about it thanks

27.) Who knows a secret or two about you?
My mom

28.) Have you ever burned yourself?
yep, occupational hazard of being me

29.) (Deleted)


30.) Who is your hero[s]?
My mom

40.) Do you believe that things last forever?
material things? no

41.) What are you listening to?
my sisters talk

42.) What do you smell like?
Laundry detergent

43.) Are you married?
a clue: NO

44.) Does anyone regularly tell you they love you?
YES. my mommy

45.) What's the most confusing to you?
the most confusing?????? what????

46.) Do you have any bad habits?
I bite my lip ALL THE TIME

47.) Have you ever wanted to be a teacher?
Yes

48.) What is one thing you've learned about life?
that our best laid plans go awry

49.) What's your favorite color?
I don't have a favorite color... I love them all

50.) Have you ever been stuck in an elevator?
Nope, thank GOD!

52.) Has anyone told you that they like you more than a friend
Again A clue: NO

53.) What are you looking forward to?
Being happy

54.) How are you today?
tired


how are you?

Bible Challenge Week Three

Monday: Deut 23:12 - Deut 34:12

Tuesday: Jos 1:1 thru Jos 14:15

Wednesday: Jos 15:1 thru Judges 3:27

Thursday: Judges 3:28 thru Jdg 15:12

Friday: Jdg 15:13 thru 1 Sa 2:29

Saturday: 1 Sam 2:30 thru 1 Sam 15:35

Sunday: 1 Sam 16:1 thru 1 Sam 28:19

*bites nails*

I'm off job hunting I think.... or.... maybe not.

*iz very nervous*

Change and Hard TImes

What's a girl to do when she realizes she may have to leave the best working environment on the face of the earth?

I love my job. Love it. Love the flowers, the people, the creativity. I love the people I work with so much. My boss is the best. Just the best.

But, change happens. Life is always moving on when we're not ready for it.

I've always known that I would never be able to stay at the shop forever. It doesn't pay well enough for me to support myself longterm. I scrape by now, but only because I hold out hope that someday a "somebody that I'm longing to see" will come along.

But, it hasn't happened yet. So, reality crashes in. Ok, I can't live on this. Just can't.

So, this girl cries for a few days. Musters up the courage to talk to her boss about it. Blubbers and bawls her way through said conversation.

My boss is awesome. Really. She cried too. Hugged me. Gave me flowers and a raise, in "hope that it will help me stay a little longer." But, guess what? Even with the raise it's not enough. And the truth is she can't pay me enough. She knows it, and so she's promised me a job whenever I want it, for as long as I want it, but she'll let me go, even encourage me to do the best I can for myself.

I love her and I love the shop. I'm dreading going out into the world in search of something else that I can make a living at.

Average American?

You Are 70% "Average American"

You are average because you wouldn't pay to go in space. You are not average since you don't drink.

How "Average American" Are You?

And in other news...

I would hate to admit this but I'm not one of our babies' favorite people. I'm really not sure why... she likes me well enough, but usually prefers one of the other girls. And I usually have to plead to get hugs and kisses.

Saturday was a different story!! She gave me lots of love and big hugs!! When Lydia came over and asked Sarah B. to come to her, Sarah said "No, I'm with Becca, MY Becca"

*goofy grin*

Yeah, that made my year....

oh, and I chopped myself some bangs... Do they look ok?

Bible Challenge Week 2

Monday: Leviticus 1:1 thru 14:32

Tuesday: Le 14:33 thru 26:26

Wednesday: Le 26:27 thru Numbers 8:14

Thursday: Nu 8:15 thru Nu 21:7

Friday: Nu 21:8 thru Nu 32:19

Saturday: Nu 32:20 thru Deut. 7:26

Sunday: Dt 8:1 thru 23:11

How is everyone doing so far?

Frozen Grand Central

this is so funny!

I've been tagged!!!!

I've been tagged by Lydia

So,

Here are the rules:
: Link to the person that tagged you.:


: Post the rules on your blog.:


: Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.:


: Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.:


: Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.





Random things about myself... I really don't like these things... I just don't think I'm very random... ok, here goes...
1. I'm sweet 16 (plus 10) and never been kissed :-)
2. I love dark chocolate
3. I'm addicted to purses
4. I'm terrified of snakes and small spaces
5. I own 2 violin bows but no violin :-)
6. I've rearranged the furniture in my bedroom 3 times in the last 5 months

I tag:

Valerie
Katie
Merry
The VonSeven
Serena
Rachel

Valentine's Day

It's coming... it's getting closer every day....

*Rebecca pulls out hair*

ok, no one panic... it's not THAT bad.... but it's not that good either...

V-Day (that's a little shop talk for you) is the busiest single day of the florists year. It's the biggest, trickiest, fastest holiday, and no one looks forward to it.

It's big because of the peer pressure to SPEND MONEY!! The more you spend the more you love your Valentine. Or, so they say. Biggest spenders? High School Boys. Note, they are also the ones with the least cash and the shortest relationships.

It's tricky for two reasons.
#1 It's on a different day of the week every year. Middle of the week V-days are traditionally busier for the florist than weekends. If V-day falls on the weekend, the sweethearts are more likely to go away for the weekend, or plan a fun day together. More likely to spend money on a fancy dinner. If V-day is on say, a Tuesday or a Wednesday, guys are more likely to send flowers to their honey at work. They like to show off this way. All the girls at work will see the bouquet. Ladies are more likely to cook and do the candlelight dinner at home after the kids are in bed. No one takes time off work for V-day. This makes it tricky for the florist, because we never know for sure exactly how many flowers we will sell, what kind of arrangements will be popular this year, etc. No matter what the past years have been like, there are ALWAYS exceptions to the rules.

#2 Weather!!! We've had record snowfalls in Wisconsin this winter. We are PRAYING for good weather on Feb 14th!! A snow storm would mean huge losses. HUGE.


Then there are the "call-outs" some people call them "wire orders." This is when I have to call a flower shop in a different city or state to arrange and deliver the flowers. This is tough because, flower shops in bigger cities (almost every city is bigger than my city) are more expensive, which my customers don't like. They are also not as friendly, and they don't have any qualms about turning down orders. They just don't need the money that badly. It's not unusual for me to spend upwards of 30-45 minutes trying to place an order for a customer that needs to be delivered to their sweetheart in Chicago. Not to mention, these big city florists sell out of flowers a whole lot earlier in the game than we do. For instance I called a florist in Texas yesterday who informed me that she was no longer taking orders for Valentine's Day. There were 4 more days until the holiday!!!!


It's fast because it's one day. That's it. And then it's over, and all that's left to do is try to sell leftover pink and red flowers. Which no one wants to buy. Because, face it. No one likes those colors.

Bible Challenge

Monday: Gen. 1:1 thru Gen. 16:16

Tuesday: Gen. 17:1 thru Gen. 28:19

Wednesday: Gen. 28:19 thru Gen. 40:11

Thursday: Gen. 40:12 thru Gen. 50:26

Friday: Ex 1:1 thru Ex 15:18

Saturday: Ex 15:19 thru Ex 28:43

Sunday: Ex 29:1 thru Ex 40:38


I'll post week two next Monday.

Another point, it's actually an 88 day challenge. There are two extra days for catch up if you need it.

Enjoy!

90 day challenge

It's not a weight loss program, it's much better.

I've taken a challenge to read the Bible through in 90 days. I've finished the first week, so far so good.

Actually, to be perfectly honest, I'm loving it!!!

If anyone is interested in taking up the challenge, I'd be happy to post the schedule here for you once a week. We can start on Monday, if you like.

It's about 45 minutes of reading time a day. Originally I thought there was no way I could get 45 minutes in, but it's been easier than I thought. I pick up my Bible whenever I get a chance and read as much as I can.

I have to really, really encourage you to try to do this. I think you'll be so pleased you did!!!

Guess what?

5 more inches of snow and we'll break our record for most snowfall in a winter. 76 inches.

Bride and Groom

My sister Stephanie is amazing... this is all her work by the way...

Green Orchids in the Bathtub

Friends

Little GirlsGroom and His New Brother

Ty and Shannon (someone had a goofy face in EVERY picture)

Mini Musicians

Eight Reasons Why I Don't Share My Faith

Unboxing of ProFlowers

Aprofessional florist got to wondering about ProFlowers a company that ships the flowers directly to the recipient. They give you the impression that your loved one will receive a beautiful arrangement of flowers fresh from the grower and shipped directly to your door. Cut out the middle man. Sounds good right? The real deal is quite different.
You can go HERE and HERE to read what happened. But, just to give you an idea... watch this video.

Flowers

Katie worked on the arch

While Shanon and I supervised

The Bride loves them!!!

Rehearsal

Bride and Minister

Trivia: How many people does it take to iron a wedding dress?

The Wedding

Sisters

Happy Bride

Cutting the Cake

I haven't posted much this week, I know. Whether from a lack of inspiration or the sudden and unexpected battle of sickness I encountered, I don't know.

This is certainly "Janu-weary" It's the time of year when it seems as if nothing is happening, nothing is growing, nothing is moving at all, just sort of creeping along at the slowest possible snail's pace. February can't come too soon.

Depression inevitably accompanies this sort of time, even if we deny it. We've had freezing cold temps here, highs in the 0 degree range, colds in the -40s. Even the idyllic image of curling under a blanket with a good book and a cup of cocoa, can get old. Trust me, I've done it plenty this winter.

So, I've read my books, brewed my coffee, seen my movies, shoveled my snow, and shoveled, and SHOVELED, worn my slippers out, stayed indoors more days than I can count.... I'm done.

Bring on the Spring!!!!!!!!! please?

Peter Pan

Well, it's finally happened. I'm sick. I've been fighting it for weeks, but today I give in. I'm home from work and I've been lying miserably in bed all morning, sleeping. I only got up to let mom into the house. You know, when you're sick, no matter how old you are, you just need your mother.

I have stacks of books to read, of course, but nothing really perked my interest until the mailman came. He dropped Peter Pan in my mailbox. I was hooked after the first paragraph.

All children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs. Darling put her hand to her heart and cried, "Oh, why can't you remain like this for ever!" This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up. You always know after you are two. Two is the beginning of the end.

Dear Mr. President

I bought a copy of this book when we were in Washington D.C. last summer from the National Archives gift shop. The shop itself was incredible. I could have happily spent the entire day paging through the books and admiring the civil war chess sets, elephant and donkey plush, etc.

My budget being limited and pretty much non-existent, I only splurged on one item.

I'm glad I picked this book. I've enjoyed picking it up on occasion and seeing what ordinary citizens had to say to their presidents. I thought I would share a couple of my favorites with you.


Jackie Ann Lucas to President Nixon:
Dear Mr. President,
I like your courage to pardon former President Nixon. Athough, I don't like to hear your speeches. You know I'am only 10 years old. I wish you would write me back.
Thank You,
Jackie Ann
Lucas
Head of
President Ford
Commity
(P.S. I'am a Republacan)
(sorry I don't know how to spell Republucan)
(P.S. please send me your autograph)
(I'am from Wright School!!!)

Telegram J.B. Manual to President Roosevelt:

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
WHITE HOUSE
JUST HEARD YOUR SPEECH IT CHEERED ME UP RECEIVED NOTICE TODAY THAT MY SON WAS KILLED IN SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES AT PEARL HARBOR DECEMBER 7TH.
J.B. MANUAL.

Annie Davis to President Lincoln:

Mr. President
It is my desire to be free to got o see my people on the eastern shore. My mistress wont let me you will please let me know if we are free. and what I can do. I write you for advice. please send me word this week or as soon as possible and oblidge.
Annie Davis, Belair Hartford County, MD

You are Good - Nichole Nordeman

Letters From War

This song makes me think of something I saw in an airport last month. A man in army fatigues, a little boy leaping into his arms. They held each other like there was no tomorrow. The soldiers uniform probably has wrinkles from the little boy's grip to this day...

My names...

This is a little goofy, but hilariously funny all the same!

1. YOUR REAL NAME: Rebecca Joy
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME (first 3 letters of real name plus -izzle): Rebizzle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME (favorite color and favorite animal): Red Horse
4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, and current street): Joy Ellen
5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letters of Mom's maiden name): Sigrecar

6. YOUR SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Green Coffee

7. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (Mother's middle name and fathers middle name): Marie Gereld

8. YOUR GOTH NAME (black, and the name of one your pets): Black Bella

My Ficus

I know I'm a florist and so, therefore, I must have a green thumb. Well, I have a confession to make. I don't. I do know a lot about plants. I can usually troubleshoot basic houseplant problems. I have books to look in if I don't know the answer. But, that's at work. At home, I often forget when I last watered my plants...


But, this plant is special. It's my braided ficus.
I love it. I gave it to myself for
Christmas a couple of years ago.
It's actually grown considerably since I bought it.
I water it faithfully.
Someday, I'm hoping it will be a tree.

Reading List

Right now I reading:
Dorothy Sayer's Busman's Honeymoon
I've never read anything by Dorothy Sayers before. She was recommended by my friend Maureen so far, I really like it!
My Turn at the Bully Pulpit by Greta Van Susteren. I picked this up at a book sale. I like her show on Fox News, so I thought I'd take a look. She has some interesting things to say. And finally: How to Write a Children's Book and Get it Published by Barbara Seuling.
The title is self-explanatory. :-)

Realistically...

You can't have everything... where would you put it all?

It's my Friday morning off....

So, I'm planning to:

• do some scribbling
• take Bella to the vet
• have two cups of coffee
• work on my baby blanket
• read some more of my Dorothy Sayers mystery!!!
• virtual book shopping!
  

The Shops

Remember the sketches I told you about that my sister did?

Here they are:

My shop

Our Other Shop, 15 miles away. I never work there but my boss owns both, and we trade projects, flowers and phone calls all the time.

Susie did a fantastic job, my boss and everyone else LOVED them!!!

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

Have you seen it yet???

Trailer

I have. Twice.

Riley Poole: We have thirty seconds to disable the alarm.
Ben Gates: Go.
[Ben and Riley break into a house and Riley disables the alarm]
Ben Gates: You did that in twenty-five seconds.
Riley Poole: That's why I tell people to get a dog.


Abigail: Okay, I've been doing the math here, and...
Ben: I know. One of us is going to have to stay behind.
Riley: Just promise you'll come back for me.... I can do the math too.
Ben: Okay, Abigail, that makes you first.
Riley: (imitates Ben) 'No, Riley, we'll figure somethin' out!'
(imitates Abigail) 'No, Riley, we need you up there!'

Sadusky: There is a book and it has the information you need. The President's Book of Secrets. A collection of documents for President's eyes only. The truth behind the JFK conspiracy. The missing minutes from the Watergate tapes. And of course, Area 51.
Ben Gates: It contains all of our nation's secrets. I need to see that book.
Sadusky: The only way you'll ever see that book is if you get elected President.

---

Ben Gates: I'm gonna kidnap him. I'm gonna kidnap the President of the United States.
Ben's Dad: Why would I overreact to that?