I Met Ruth!!

Again today, I noticed another one...Loni from Joy in the Morning is giving away a real neat book from Crossway Publishers called, His Loving Law ~ Our Lasting Legacy. Visit Loni for your chance to win:

Joy in the Morning

And finally, I'm getting to the post that I've been waiting to write all week, but as per the norm, I kept getting distracted....

Last Saturday I attended a Bloggers Brunch and was able to meet several Manitoba bloggers in person. Heather Plett organized the whole thing, and she was every bit at wonderful as she is on her blog. She put so much work into the brunch including door prizes and fancy stationary. I'm so blessed that we have someone out here willing to put the work into getting something together for us. Every blogger needs a Heather in her town.

My favorite part of the afternoon was that I got to meet Ruth from "It's True Sighed Roo." Wow!! She is totally awesome. If it was an internet dating club, I would have married her. lol She has such a natural smile and kind mannerism that makes her personality every bit as magnetic as she is online. I talked about Ruth all night, while my husband nodded off to sleep.

I was also pleasantly surprised to find a woman from my church there. I didn't expect that at all. Apparently she blogs with some of the same women that I do. Who knew? :) If you want to meet her you can find Jobina over at www.thewestmans.blogspot.com

We did take a photo, so I hope that I can get a copy to post here soon.

Happy Birthday Iris

If I were to list the blessings God has sent me through blogging, Iris from Sting my Heart would be one of the first things I'd add to that list. It's her birthday today, and although I wish I could be in Arizona celebrating alongside her, I can't. So this blog post will just have to do...

Happy Birthday Iris. I love the friendship I have with you. And I thank God often that He brought someone with such a caring and gentle heart into my life. I pray that your year will be filled with blessings and stress free moments in abundance. You are loved, dear one!


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I also wanted to mention the book, "Created to Be His Helpmeet." Candace Cameron Bure has recommended it to me saying that it's one of her favorite books, and she quotes it often. Since I haven't picked up a copy of it for myself yet, I was excited to see this note this morning...

ENTER to WIN a copy of "Created to Be His Helpmeet"
by Debbie Pearl at By His Grace and For His Glory!

Bringing Healthy Back

I'm feeling a little under the weather today. And I'm hoping that this isn't the start of a cold that's been going around--yuck! We'll see...

Anyway, I'm over at Bringing Back Healthy today. BHB is a team blog that Paula created to encourage dieters daily. I've written 5 tips for losing weight that work for me. Hope you stop by...



Let's hope I can bring some healthy back to this body by tomorrow! I have a Winnipeg bloggers luncheon to attend--wahoo!

Have you Seen These?

Have you seen these mugs yet? An advertiser of CWO sent me a mug a few weeks back, and it's so cool, that I had to write about it. It looks like an average mug with a dim image of the cross, but when you put hot water in it, the sun rises and the verse appears. Too cool!!

After watching it with the kids a few times, I dried it off and repackaged it, (yes I'm a regifter) for my friend Linda. Linda entertains ALOT, and so I knew that she'd love it. Apparently she's been giving tea to everyone that comes over just to show them the mug. Check it out at www.mugsoftruth.com and if you want a good gift idea, buy some of these for Christmas this year. Greg Plunk is the owner, and I've gotten to know him through CWO. I'd love to see him succeed as he's such a kind man, and their product is awesome! See how nice I am when I get free gifts? lol

Major Hottie Alert!

The term "hottie" has been Maddy's favorite word since Zac Efron appeared on our TV screen. If you don't know Zac Efron ladies, Google him, and you'll see that he is. I think he's the new David Cassidy, but saying that has just aged me three decades. He's the latest teen idol since his role as Troy on Disney's "High School Musical."

Anyway, some teenaged guys whistled and waved at Maddy and I the other day. I still get a wave every once in a while, but it's only when things are moving by quickly. And it's more like a drive by shooting than an actual pass. I'm not comfortable with the whole thing around the young ones, so I passed on the torch, "Oooh you're a hottie," I teased Maddy as we turned in the driveway.

"No," she said. "Dad's a hottie! You just take one look at him and your brain is yelling, 'Major hottie alert!'"

I just sat there stunned for a minute--did I hear right? My daughter just called my husband a major hottie? lol

Yep, that made his night!

A Teenager by Any Other Name...

A teenager by any other name, wouldn't smell like such a stinker!! Why does God make them so tall and so strong? How can I fight this giant that lives to torment me? Sigh.

I'm a pretty friendly neighbour--especially when my friend Donna walks by. I always like to wave at her to show her I see her heading home after work. Yesterday Donna was all dressed in her office high heals with hair done to the max, as per the norm. Me? Oh, I was in a royal blue terry bathrobe, barefoot, and wearing a pink towelled turban--but that didn't stop me--Donna's my pal, and I only slipped out for a second.

"Hello Donna!" I waved from the front step with one hand, while holding my robe with the other.

'CLICK' ...silence

"K-WHA--? What was that click I just heard behind me?...BRENDAN!!! Unlock the door!!"

My teenager thinks it's humorous to see me standing in a terry turban on the front steps with shower smeared mascara marking my face. I looked like Edward Scissor hands mother an hour after she gave birth.

Argh teenagers! Can't live with them. Can't live without them. But a few more times--and that last part will change. :)

Before the Snow Flies Again

Yesterday was a cold morning, and I wondered if I'd ever see another deck day this year before the snow flies, but God heard my thoughts and brought sunshine.

He invited me out on the deck to sit for a spell, and we did. With feet up on the orange lounge chair I supped with my Lord, flipping through pages of Philippians, then 1 Peter, until finally ending our chat somewhere in the pages of Proverbs. He had much to say, while I listened intently. Finally with the warm sun on my face I began to nod off. It was time to pick up King James and head back in the house.

In my Father's house there are many mansions. Little corners, nooks, decks and stairwells, where for eternity we'll sit and sup with our Lord in the warmth of His light. Until then I'll wait Lord, perhaps You'll send some more deck days my way, or perhaps you'll return, before the snow flies again.

Chilly Out Here

My friends went to Florida last week and said that they were boiling hot. Sounds good right about now! On Saturday we had an iffy day. If the sun was behind the clouds it was quite chilly, but when it came out it was an awesome fall day. My husband got a sunburn on his head and looks like he's embarrassed, but he's cute--no make that adorable.

Anyway, the weather changed so drastically overnight. The last couple of days the wind picked up, and shorts are out of the question. It's gotten quite nippy outside. :(

The good news is that Spring is only six months away! I hope I have a few more deck days before then.

I Dispise Wrapples!

I dispise Wrapples. You know why? They remind me of their commercials in which the beautiful red apples are wrapped in carmel, speared with a stick, then sent to the oven for melting. Sounds harmless enough, but the only problem is that these commercials from my childhood served as a constant reminder that it was September, which meant that summer was over, and it was just about bed time. Stink! It also means that the morning comes early.

I don't care how delicious they are. I blame them for years and years of the early morning wake-up call. And anways, do kids ever really eat the apple, once the carmel is gone? No.

Can you tell that I didn't get much sleep last night? Yeah, the kids started school full time today. Argh! Wrapples--to the oven with you!

Live Well!

I wanted to introduce my baby to all you (approximately three) readers. lol

Last winter I spent so much of my time working on writing a new book. It began as a focus on Womanhood, but I felt a constant pull toward healthy living--spirit, body, and soul.

Recently, I decided to use the writing for a column at CWO to help women who also struggle with similar issues.

"Live Well" inspires women to make healthier choices that result in losing weight, maintaining a healthy body, and getting our lives on track with God.

Through "Live Well," I focus on how the spirit influences our soul, and how our souls greatly influence the choices we make for our bodies and lifestyle. By feeding and nurturing our spirit and soul, we free our bodies from the captivity of sin, bringing glory to God and peace to our lives.

Weight loss has been a constant issue with me for years--as with many women--but it's been about ten years now since I've been able to control the pull of the refrigerator.

If this is a topic of interest to you, visit my new column at CWO: Live Well!

And the Winner Is...

Don't you love it when you go to a kids function and find out that everyone is a winner? I do! I sure wish that could be the case today, but it can't, argh! Where's Oprah and her car keys when you need her? lol

I went to www.random.org to choose the winner, and #20 was chosen, which was Michelle @ Meesh's journeys.

Michelle wrote:

"One of my biggest secrets--only one or two people know--is that I don't feel as good as other people, I feel inadequate compared to most people. Even though the people I know would say I'm a wonderful Christian, wife, mom, homekeeper, artist, whatever else, I find it very hard to truly believe that. So there you go, my one little secret."

Ouch! Think it's time for a little visit to let Michelle know how important she is, ladies? I do!! :)

I will be by to visit all of the posts within the next few days, because I can't wait to read your secrets, but today is the first day of the month, so I was busy setting up CWO while the party was going on. Whew--I need sleep!

I've written a new column over at CWO, if you'd like to check it out. It's called, "Live Well!" "Live Well!" inspires readers to make healthier choices that result in losing weight, maintaining a healthy body, and getting our lives on track with God.

Crystal Siemens is also at CWO today chatting with Iris. I hope you can stop by!