I've Got Sunshine On A Cloudy Day!

I received my first blog award!

Thank you, Nel at Fastenau Facts, for sending a little sunshine my way!

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world.

How nice that someone thought that of me! Since I'm snowed in under two feet of snow, this is the perfect time to pass along some sunshine to some of my favorite bloggers.

Below are the rules for accepting these awards:

• Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
• Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers.
• Link the nominees within your post.
• Let the nominees know they have received the award by commenting on their blog.
• Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award from.

Please, check out the blogs that bring a little sunshine to my day:

Sara from ...make music from your heart is my link to Project 365. She takes interesting pictures and you will enjoy the many talents of her kids. I love her prayer link where you can share your requests and she will pray for you. What a great idea for ministering to other women! Her blog is one of my newest found "comfy" places to visit.

Traci from Beneath My Heart is so sweet. Her inspiration for blogging came from her mother who passed away last fall. She shares special memories of her mom entitled "Wednesdays with Wanda." Traci has lots of gorgeous home improvement projects. She makes me want to get off my computer and go create something.

Sarah from In The Midst of It is just that...in the midst of it. She has a fun-filled life shared with her husband-pastor, cute kids and lots of animals. When I started reading blogs for the first time last winter, Sarah's was my favorite blogger and first to follow. She sews lots of beautiful quilts & clothes, but you'll enjoy her mishaps just as much as the beauty she shares.

You will never read a funnier and more well-written blog than Robynn's at Robynn's Ravings. Any length of time spent with her would leave your face sore from smiling and laughing; she takes even the greatest challenges and makes them entertaining. She brings sunshine to any gloomy day!

One of my dear real-life friends has a wonderful photography blog. Sofia at Still.Sofia has the natural ability to see the good in everyone and it shows in her photography. If you live near the San Francisco area you should give her a try; I think you'll make a friend for life in the process.

I've recently met H-Mama from Family Team through Project 365. She takes wonderful pictures that seem to truly capture the moment! She has two adorable daughters and I think you'll enjoy H-Mama's take on home life and motherhood.

Kim from Just a Southern Girl knows how to live the life in Argentina! I love her Project 365 pics each week that share the native culture and foods. In the barren snow-drift of DC, her Argentina pictures are a welcome respite. I'm looking forward to seeing her winter during our summer in a few months.

Rebecca Jo from Knit By God's Hands makes the most delicious-looking food! I tried her Russian Chicken and can't stop thinking about it! I found her blog via Project 365 and love her dry sense of humor. Her wreath survival photo cracked me up. Have you met my mother, Rebecca? She keeps her poinsettias year-round. I, on the other hand, do not have a green thumb (and it doesn't bother me.)

I enjoy Catherine from The Giesbrechts: Time and Tide. She has a dry sense of humor. Check out her post on Jan 12 about the core/corp. I met Catherine through the Random Dozen and have enjoyed her insightful and humorous blog ever since.

I haven't gotten to know Rita from Meemaw Moments very well, but she's one of those people I just enjoy. What a talented bunch of people they've got in their family - an ice sculptor, a potter, and a memoir writer. I enjoy visiting Rita and seeing what's new in their neck of the woods.

Amy at All Things A Ro and I share a love of teaching and music! She shares on both Project 365 and the Random Dozen so I've gotten to know her pretty quickly. She's passionate about what she does and the people she loves; that's what makes her refreshing. With a dash of self-deprecating humor she's a good read.

I haven't gotten to know Barbie from My Freshly Brewed Life very well yet, but she epitomizes the positivity of the Sunshine Award. You will be encouraged as you read her devotional thoughts. Plus, we've both been married about 21 years and have 4 kids - what could be better than that!

Project 365: Week 5

Join Sara and friends this week for Project 365.

Sunday

Snow play = hot chocolate = soaking stains out of clothes

Monday

More snow play at the sledding hill -

watch out winter olympics, we're getting ready!

Tuesday

new candy bar to try...delicious!

Wednesday

a few fluffy inches of the white stuff

Thursday

major snowstorm coming - shelves clearing quickly!

Friday

Had the flu (# 2 in the line of 5) - spent the day resting

Saturday

We started with an inch and added almost 2 feet more by the end!

Allergy Testing

Last week in my Project 365: Week 4 post I mentioned that Tara had a severe allergic reaction while sitting at the dinner table one night. She had small red hives around her mouth and after touching the allergen to her left eye it had completely swollen shut.

For dinner that night we were eating sub sandwiches and chips. I believe it might have been the coconut oil on the Bugles that caused the reaction. We haven't had them in our house during her lifetime. She's hoping it was the sesame seeds on the bread because she doesn't like them. I think she's eaten sesame seeds before, but not coconut.

We ended up giving her two antihistamines and watching her throughout the night (per Dr.'s orders). She went into his office the next morning and was given a clean bill of health, but we still needed to find out what triggered the allergy.

This past Wednesday she went in for testing. She had no apparent food allergy so now we have to keep Benadryl with us at all times and keep a diary of any reactions.

Although she had no food allergies, you can see by the picture that something is causing a strong reaction on the test...

CATS! :(

I love cats; I'm sad. We don't have any pets right now, but if we moved a cat would be high on the list to add to our family. Tara loves ALL pets so we'll have to see what her future holds.

For now, I'm glad my child is safe and we know to be on the alert for potential problems.

Make New Friends with the Random Dozen

Want a great place to meet a lot of new friends? Want to share with the world random information about yourself? Join us for the Random Dozen with Linda from 2nd Cup of Coffee. The more the merrier!

1. Do you use the labels various charities send you as “free gifts?”

Yes! They make bills sent by mail easy to get out the door.

2. What is your favorite time of day (or night) for skywatching?

Both - just depends on what catches my eye. I love a good cloud formation or snow falling from a darkened sky.

3. What is the most adventurous you've ever been with trying a new food? (Keep it G-rated please)

I am not the adventurous one around my house, but I did have frog legs at the beach last summer. I have family members who have eaten guinea pig in Peru.

4. Have you ever heard a rock sing? (Trust me, there's a reason for this one!)

Old Faithful?? Yes. It may be too early for me to "get" this question?

5. If you could learn a language you don't presently speak, what would it be?

Spanish. I know enough to make a fool of myself.

6. Al Capone's tombstone read, “My Jesus, Mercy.” If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?

In the hundred and seventh year of her life she had fresh teeth! (just kidding)

But I did love this one:

If you'd lived here you'd be home by now (double meaning?!)

In all honesty, my family can write anything they want for my epitaph. I just hope they remember me as loving and faithful.

7. If you were a famous musician who was known by one name, like “Cher,” “Sting,” or “Jewel,” what would it be? It doesn’t have to be your first name, but it can be, if you’d like.

Aria (get it...musical!)

8. Have you ever been inordinately “into” a television show?

Waltons - had the dollhouse and dolls, Gilmore Girls with my oldest daughter - I really MISS them, Fringe with my son - I cry with the thought of Walter losing Peter. Yes, I throw myself into most everything I do!

9. When you sneeze, do you go big, or do you do that weird “heenh!” sound that makes people think you’re going to blow your brains out? Any other variation we should know about?

I go BIG! (See answer # 8)

10. Do you still read an actual newspaper that you hold in your hands, or do you get your news elsewhere?

online, my friend, online...

11. Are you a good speller?

yep!

12. At what time each day do you start thinking about Lost lunch?

Breakfast holds me off until maybe 1:30-2pm. After that I think about eating for the rest of the day. :(

Project 365: Week 4 (For Me)

Share your week with us!

Day 23 (Saturday) - We went out to eat as a family to Macaroni Grill.

Day 24 - I won this candy at a baby shower. We were supposed to shout out what candy bar came to mind when a phrase/word was said re: pregnancy/motherhood. The word given was CONTRACTION, so of course, the candy was NOW and LATER! I haven't seen one of these since the 80's.

Day 25 - First workout of the new year and it only took me 25 days to get to it! Go Leslie Sansone! (You do see that it's still dark outside, right?!)

Day 25 - (pic # 2) My girls winning awards & earning badges at the American Heritage Girls Awards Ceremony. (Left - Katie, Right - Tara)

Day 26 - My lunch was gorgeous and it came from our church's cafeteria. Yes, we have a cafeteria. The special on Tuesday: Asian Chicken Salad with roll. It was as good as it looks. Yum!

Day 27 - Tara came and asked me to help her put on these Barbie shoes. I said, "These are pretty shoes!" She answered, "Yes they are! I wish they were mine cause then I'd be higher."

Day 28 - Tara had an eventful week. Wednesday night she ate/touched something that incurred a severe allergic reaction. Her left eye was completely swollen shut within 5 minutes of touching the unknown allergen. She has to undergo allergy testing next week. My boys suggested I take a picture of the eye, but I didn't. Instead her first top tooth came out on Thursday and we thought we'd celebrate with a photo memory!

Day 29 - Field trip downtown. We went to see the Terra Cotta Warriors, but couldn't take pictures. Then we went to the Library of Congress to get our library cards! Fun day! The LOC is such a breath-taking building.

Day 30 - We had a snowstorm! (Didn't everyone have bad weather this week?) Tara went out to play in the snow and ended up shoveling off the steps for her Daddy. So precious!!

Allergies, Terra Cotta Warriors & Pirates

Anyone else fighting the blues...or lack of sleep?

I've just been dragging through the days lately wondering what is going on. I'm sure there is more than one contributing factor, but I'm ready get some energy back, folks! Enough already.

Wednesday night Tara had a severe allergic reaction to something she ate. She did not have an anaphylactic response, but just by touching her eye (I think with coconut oil that was on the chips) it completely swelled up. She took two different antihistamines (per Dr.'s phone orders) and I kept watch over her through the night, which meant I didn't get much sleep. The swelling was still there, but diminished on Thursday morning when we went into the Dr. office. Now she'll have to go through allergy testing next week.

After the Dr.'s office Tara and I went to CoOp and I taught handbells and band. After classes we stopped by the bakery to pick out a cake for Katie's birthday party on Saturday. We found out our favorite cake decorator, David, is no longer at the bakery. He got promoted to bigger and better things. :(

Today we head down to the National Geographic Museum in D.C. to see the Terra Cotta Warriors. We can't take a camera into the museum. I'm bummed 'cause I wanted to share our sights with you all. After our excursion, we'll come home clean the house and get ready for tomorrow's party.

Saturday afternoon Katie will have 8 friends join her for a pirate party! (My delicate flower!) I tried to not get too many skeleton things, but it's impossible to have a pirate party without them. Hopefully, we'll have moms who don't mind. I've still got to come up with a game or two and make some pirate headscarves tonight. It will be another busy couple of days.

Come back on Sunday and see the snapshots of our week. We had one BIG loss already, that we're looking forward to sharing with you!

See you in a couple of days.

Random Dozen - Can't Wait!

Every Wednesday

Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee

hosts a Random Questions Mime.
Join us, won't ya!

1. How good are you at delaying gratification?

If the delayed gratification includes spending money, then I have a good amount of self-control. If it's rewarding myself with time on the computer or watching a favorite tv show, then I might blow off the work I should be doing. It will be there tomorrow, right? We ALL have areas of self-control we can work on!

2. Maybe a marshmallow wouldn't be too difficult a temptation for you. What food (or anything else) would be most tempting?

3. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being saintly) how patient are you?

Wow, Lid...on any given day, I can practically top the scales AND mine the depths. My children would say I was patient everyday but Friday (when we clean the house!)

4. Have you ever waited for something in life only to be disappointed upon realization of the goal/object/etc.?

Just keepin it real, here - Marriage! I would say I had the "Disney Princess" idea of marriage, so what a shocker it was that marriage didn't look anything like "happily ever after." BUT I have been married 21 years to my BEST FRIEND and we have weathered many storms together. I would not be able to "do life" without him! So, although my expectation was askew, the partnership was a success.

5. Are you a person who takes shortcuts?

Don't know what those are! I struggle with perfectionism; shortcuts are not in my vocabulary. I wish they were sometimes.

6. Which line is hardest to wait in?

Ah, back to last week's driving! It's difficult to wait in rush hour traffic while cheaters are going around in the off ramp trying to get ahead. If I were a cartoon character you would see steam coming out of my ears!

BTW, my kids made me listen to a Phineas & Ferb music CD last night in rush hour. The songs were so lame and we were laughing so much that I didn't get cranked up about the other drivers. We may have to start a new tradition.

7. Did you wait to discover the gender of your unborn child until its birth?

# 1 - we waited (a girl), # 2 - we found out 3 weeks before HE was born, # 3 & # 4 - we found out early on (girls).

8. Are you more patient with children or the elderly?

I think I'm patient with both. It's the people my age that make me a little crazy.

9. Did you ever sneak a peek at a present?

I did once as a kid when the wrapping was ripped on a present under the tree. I disliked already knowing what the gift was when I opened it so I never peeked again.

10. What is the longest you've ever waited for anything?

Nothing jumps to mind, except my Kitchen Aid mixer. My husband surprised me by using our Amex reward points to get the mixer for me about 5 or 6 years ago. I had probably been married about 15 years at the time.

11. Who has more patience, you or your significant other?

I would say we have patience with different things/scenarios. I'd say we're mostly equal on the patience scale, but he may tip it his way, JUST A LITTLE, because of his calm personality.

12. Which of the following songs about waiting is your pick for the best?
(OK, you may substitute another, if you like.)
A) Anticipation by Carly Simon
B) The Waiting by Tom Petty
C) Right Here Waiting for You by Richard Marx
D) Wait for Me by Rebecca St. James

I only know ONE of the songs above. The "waiting" song that quickly jumped to mind was "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller. LOVE THAT SONG. It's on my inspiration playlist on my IPod. (CD on sale for $6.99 on Itunes right now!)

365 - Pictures a Day: Week 3

Joining Sara for Project 365!

Day 17 (Sunday) - Our children's dept at church has made new signs of staff "poster people" advertising our children's church event. They make me smile!

Day 18 - The newest treat in our house - Golden Double Stuf Oreos. Since Monday was a holiday and we were all home, I heard the package rustle often throughout the day.

Day 19 - Katie workin' hard in Art Class at a friend's house. She'd rather have you notice the shirt that says, "I'm an Angel" that was purchased for her by her great-grandma the day before she died. It's the last Christmas present she received from her.

Day 20 - We sent a package to Ashley with a new textbook that came in the mail, clothes left behind, some cards and yummy treats. Hopefully, she won't read my blog before getting the box or it won't be a surprise.

Day 21 - Rhett and I have an addiction - Fringe! We record it on the DVR and then watch it an hour late so we don't have to wait through the commercials. I think I'd die of a heart attack if I had to wait 60 seconds. :) It was such an amazing episode Thursday night; I even cried (that's an embarrassing confession.)

Day 22 - Had a marathon shopping spree Friday night which ended at Walmart. This is about 1/5 of my purchases, but we're all set for a couple of weeks.

Thanks, Not Cranks

Big Thanks to Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee for the bracelet shown above!

Linda wrote about the accessory in this post earlier in the month and I joined in the challenge.

While wearing the bracelet you're supposed to not complain, but give thanks instead. If you do complain, you're supposed to switch the bracelet to the other arm as a physical reminder to not grumble.

A few days ago I received my own THANKS, NOT CRANKS bracelet and immediately put it on. Within 60 seconds I had switched arms twice - first complaining about something and then saying, "That stinks!" about having just complained. Not the best start. :)

After wearing it now for a few days, I realize that I don't do a lot of complaining, but I do say A LOT of unkind things in my attempt at sarcastic humor. At the dinner table a couple of nights ago, I shared my observations to hearty agreement from the gang- followed by their own snarky comments! I suggested we get our own arm bands to remind us to BE KIND! That got a good laugh...which made me think they really do need one.

I remember the first Bible verse my mother ever had me learn: "And be ye kind, one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you." (Eph. 4:32) Obviously, she noticed I needed a little kindness early on!

(Why do I hear my family sayin' "Amen!" in my head!) Hmmm...

So I continue to wear my bracelet to remind me to not complain, but also to be kind. Not bad - a two-for-one-deal! Sounds like a winner to me!

Thanks, Lid!