Wordless Wednesday

The Bridal Shower

I got to go to Steph's bridal shower. It was really nice. First I'm gonna tell you about the silly thing that her friend Mia did. She blind-folded Steph, then told her that she was to pretend that it was her wedding night. She and Cliff were in their hotel room, and that there was an emergency evacuation of the hotel. The power had gone off, and Steph had to rummage in the dark, to find her clothes and get dressed, so that they could leave the room. She then gave Steph a bag, and told her that she had to take out each item and put it on.

Her she is with the shirt.

Putting it on.

She did a good job - I'll show the front of the shirt to you later.

Next was this fuzzy apron.

Steph managed to get both sets of strings tied.

Next...

...was this big ole bra!

And then a belt.

A scarf.

And a pair of boxers. I missed the very best "shot"...when she pulled them out of the bag, she stuck her hand right through the front flap. When she realized what she did, she almost fell on the floor because she was laughing so hard!

Now a foam crown.

A pair of socks.

Got both on.

Showing off the completed outfit.

Here is the front of the shirt. It says "I'm with Mr. Lovely". This is what we call Cliff.

Best friends - Stephanie and Mia.

Had to get a photo of my parents with Mindi and baby Conner. Look at how Mimi and Papa's (what all the grand kids call them) outfits match!

The shower was so nice. They served chicken salad in croissants, with fresh fruit, and strawberry cake for dessert. The punch was great. The recipe calls for a can of frozen orange juice, a can of frozen lemonade, water, ice and vanilla extract.

They also had everyone play a game called "Feel My Bag". One of the ladies that helped to organize the shower, made cloth bags with ribbons, to hang the bags around your neck. Each bag held a kitchen gadget, and had a number attached. Everyone was given a pencil and a sheet of paper with the numbers 1 - 50 on it. We all had to go around "feeling each others bags" and then guessing what was in each. Then we wrote down what the item was along with the person's name, who had the bag, and put it along side the matching number on the sheet of paper. You'd think this would be easy, but some of the things were really hard to figure out. During lunch, they called out each number, and told us what the item was. Guess who got the most right? Yep, it was me! I won a hand crocheted dish cloth.

Stephanie got a lot of very nice gifts. So many people gave her gift cards (Chili's, Bed Bath and Beyond, WalMart, Bath and Body Workds, etc. etc.), which was so nice, because she can use them once she gets to her new home. Less stuff they have to pack!

Tomorrow, I'll post some more photo's of the most precious baby on the face of the earth!

See a Penny - Pick it up!

I had planned to get up this morning, and immediately upload all the photo's from my trip to Florida, export them into my "blog file", and then put them into a post. Well, I did get up...but then I started reading posts. Before you know it, I've been sitting for several hours, and have gotten so stiff that I can hardly move. With the best of intentions, I head to the kitchen to feed the dogs, planning to head straight for my other computer, to upload those photo's...then I remembered that I needed to start a load of laundry. But - before I start the laundry, I needed to unpack my bags. As soon as I've finished unpacking, I take my toiletries into the bathroom, and see all the packages that are sitting on the bathroom counter (that's another post entirely), so I head back into the kitchen to get a pair of scissors - to open some of the packages with. After opening my packages, I remember about the laundry. I head back to the bedroom, and take the laundry to the laundry room. At this point my stomach starts to rumbled and I realize that it's already after 11:00, and I haven't eaten yet (I did feed the dogs). I throw a Healthy Choice frozen meal into the microwave. I head to the other computer (took two trips - one with the meal and the other with the camera), and slip in my cameras memory card. I upload the photo's into Memory Manager, which is the BEST program ever (if you want one for yourself please go HERE - click on shop products and then digital scrapbooking), and then proceeded to rotate, crop, and label the photo's. I exported a lot of pictures, and then headed over to do my post for the day (at this point, it's after 1:00), but when I started looking for the photo's of my daughter's shower - I realize that I forgot to export them - dang. Back to Memory Manager I go, and then... my mouse freezes. I send a text to the husband pleading for help. He calls a little later, and assures me that the wireless mouse needs new batteries. I find the last two AA's, and after much difficulty, get the back of the mouse opened, and put in the new batteries. No luck. Either the "new batteries" are actually "old batteries" that someone threw back into the "battery box" in the pantry OR something else is wrong.
I'm in a real funk at this point, and decide to scrap the idea of posting today, and instead, open my email. Most of my messages were junk, but I did get the following and decided that I would forward it to several people...then the little light in my head came on and it flashed..POST THIS!
So I am, hence the photo above...

Just A Penny

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the home of her husband's employer.
My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. Her husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant one evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband.
He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.
Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.
He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure..
How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?

"Look at it," he said. "Read what it says."
She read the words, " United States of America .."

"No, not that.. Read further."

"One cent?"
"No, keep reading."

"In God we Trust?"
"Yes!"
"And?. . .."

"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin, I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him. Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray. I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of
starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!"

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. "Yes, God, I get the message!"

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient.

I decided to leave out the last lines of the email, which stated that if I forwarded this to 7 people, I would receive a miracle tomorrow. I believe in miracles, but I don't believe that God delivers, just because I hit forward;-)

Heading back home this afternoon, so I'll have NO excuse for not posting everyday!

Thanks to all of you who voted for me...but it looks like Jennifer Fleck is going to beat us all. I'm just honored to have been nominated as one of the finalists!

Can't wait to tell you about the last two weeks, and also post a lot of photo's that I have taken.

Hi everybody! Today I'm getting down on my knees and begging for your support. Okay - this isn't me - but hey, I still can't get down on my knees, but if I could I would! I just got word that I am one of 9 finalists, in a competion to win an established money making blog. Please go:



HERE



and check out this opportunity. Read all the short "essays" of the finalists, and if you think I'm the best qualified - VOTE FOR ME - Please.



I happened across this contest, when I went to thank a blogger, for her comment on one of my posts. It was almost as if fate stepped in, and led me by the hand. The name of the blog up for grabs is Because Mom Said So. Now doesn't that sound like me?



This would be the perfect opportunity for me, as I could work from home. No driving (which will be a true blessing to all those unfortunate enough to be on the roads with me). No specific hours (which will accomodate my sleeping problems). No new wardrobe needed (cause YEAH - I've decided that I'm gonna eat right, and start exercising and I'm not going to buy new clothes until I'm down 4 sizes). AND - I can still keep my own personal blog, and keep up with all of you!



You all are the best - and if you vote for me, I'll do my

MY BEST to make you proud!

I'm in Baby Bliss!

What could be sweeter than a new momma and baby? Here is little Conner - all aglow.

He was somewhat jaudice, so he had to be kept in a Billy Blanket.

He had to be left at the hospital, so here is daddy spending a last few minutes with his new son.

And now mom gets to say her good byes.

Leaving to go home - she puts on a brave face!

But- when in the car, reality hits.

Dad isn't too happy either.

Ooooooooooooooh - what sad, sad faces. What can be harder than leaving your new baby, and going home empty handed?

Oh joy - Conner get's to go home the next day. Frowns have been changed into smiles!

Waiting to have Conner officially released.

Daddy taking Conner out of his hospital bassinet.

Mom keeps watch, while dad straps Conner into his car seat.

Gotta strap him in good and tight.

Everything A Okay for take off?

Yep - let's blow this joint!

Conner on his way home.

Mom in front of Conner's first home. See the other Grammy on the left. I am so jealous that Mindi's parents were able to be there for Conner's birth, but I'm so grateful for their love and support of my son and new baby grandson.

We've all taken hundreds of photo's, and I plan to share just about everyone of them over the next few weeks! You all will be sorry that you asked for them!!!

I'm trying to download photo's. Honestly - I am going to post! Hang in there with me - Please?