IN MEMORY OF ...

For Memorial Day weekend, I would like to dedicate this post to the memory of
SUSAN IRENE (GIPSON) JONES.

My mom-in-law.
One of the most wonderful women I have ever know.

Born: November 24th, 1952

Moved into her mansion: September 21st, 2003

Here is just a quick glimpse into her life:

1. She had a voice like an angel. When she would sing, people would completely be in awe.

2. She loved Justin (my hubby) and Jason (my bro-in-law) like no other Mother has EVER loved their child. She had such a passion to raise them up to be Godly men. Good Job Susan...you did awesome in this area.

3. Her husband Tommy (my dad-in-law who is visiting this weekend) was her rock she leaned on. She demonstrated, daily, how to be a wife. She followed him from coast to coast and never complained. She decided to make it an adventure.

4. She was a great cook and housekeeper. Her home was one that you ALWAYS felt welcomed in. You know...the type that when you walk in, you just plop your feet up and feel that you could stay forever?

5. She was histerical. She could make you laugh and be silly. I LOVED THAT!

6. She could quote scripture like most people quote movies. She always had one in mind to encourage you with.

7. She LOVED going to the movies.

I loved her...I still love her.

I can't wait to see you again Susan.

I GAVE BLOOD TODAY...

WHAT DID YOU DO???

The "Material Girl" strikes again...

Dear Madonna,
I'll let the sexual innuendos and stigmata stuff in "Just Like a Prayer" slide. I'll even let your lack of morals go, because, well...its your eternity, not mine.

But seriously..."CRUCIFYING" yourself, wearing a crown of thorns on a cross on stage???? Is this REALLY necessary? You are really starting to tick me off. I was SO close to buying your new CD "Confessions on a Dance Floor" because I really liked it...BUT NOT NOW!

Read for yourself: http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=223892&GT1=7702

Grrrr.... I hope your Kabalah teacher tells you just how stupid this is and knocks some sense into you.

"FIRE IN THE HOLE"...and field.

"Fire in the Hole" is a ride...a very very very cheezy ride...THAT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE! Its at "Silver Dollar City" which, if you didn't know, is the happiest place on earth for hillbillies.

SDC (as we locals call it) is an amuzement park that is set back around the turn of the century...19th to 20th, not 20th to 21st. It has amuzement rides, woodcraftsman, basket weavers, candy makers, square dancers, old time photo's, glass blowers, and ALL kinds of cool stuff. I've been going there since I was a kid, and I'm still totally addicted.

I'm "extra excited" these days, because I'll soon be going with a close group of friends. Karen and Bill, Me and Justin, Sarah and Dave. This should be ALL kinds of fun. I'm so excited!

"Fire in the field" is what the bank, in which I am employed, just experienced. See...we have these large teal grills that we loan out to customers for their special events. Well...they are "parked" next to a GIGANTIC field that is rather dry. If you dump hot coles onto a dry field...what happens?...THATS RIGHT...A FIRE! So, we had men in nice suits and ties out there with trashcans full of water putting the fire out. OH THE JOYS OF BANKING!

"FOUR EYES"...

Yep…I now own a pair of glasses. They are for reading purposes only, so more than likely, I’ll just leave them at work.

I had glasses when I was a kid, but as I got older, my eye doctor told me that I no longer needed them. Well…here we are, about 15 years later, and I’m BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN.

I must say…they’re quite cute. They’re brown tortoise shell and kind of “nerdy” looking. They make me want to go out and get a funky hair cut and put red streaks through my hair. Hmmmm…maybe I will.

I’ve said this before, but I’ve always secretly wanted to “change my style”…

On the outside, I am a girl that has medium length mouse brown hair (with LOTS of gray I might add) who dresses normal, hates to read books, wears boring sunglasses and has a “far less than superb” shoe collection.

On the inside, I am a girl that wears funky shoes everyday of the week, has a cool hairstyle with fire engine red chunks, feels comfortable wearing a vintage dress over blue jeans w/ all-star tennis shoes, and is carrying an intellectually stimulating book.

Oh…someday!

ITS FINALLY COMING!!!!!!!!! AAAAAGGGGGHHHH!

I'M ABOUT TO PEE MY PANTS!!!!!!!!!! (literally...I'll be right back)

OK........I'VE JUST GOT TO WRITE IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE I'M SO EXCITED!!!!! ITS FINALLY COMING...ITS TRUE ITS TRUE ITS TRUE....

STARBUCKS IS NEAR!!!!!!!!

Go to: http://www.starbucks.com/default.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1

Actually...VERY VERY near. Its less than one city block from my office and I'll just HAVE to go there everyday. I need to go ahead and put this in my budget now. "Starbucks fund".

See...there is this new development going up across the street (kind of) from where I work and there has been this ongoing rumor for months now that it was going to get a STARBUCKS. Well, they've pretty much finished the first little "portion" of this new development, and someone from the building firm came in the bank about 3 months ago and said "yah, they're puttin' a starbucks in right thar". I ABOUT PEE'D MY PANTS! But, then...we heard that the starbucks was actually going to be in the bigger "not done yet" part. My hopes were beginning to fade.

BUT THEN....OH BUT THEN!!!!!!!!!!!! Today, (yes...I'm working on a Saturday) I drove by and they had a NOW HIRING SIGN ON THE LITTLE "PORTION" BUILDING!!!!!!

REJOICE REJOICE REJOICE!!!!!!!!!!

I'll take 1 venti, 1/2 caff, sugar free vanilla, soy latte please!

Can you tell that I love Starbucks? Tulsa had JUST got 3 or 4 of them when we moved here. So, now Fayetteville is officially cool in my book!

My Trigger Finger...

Well, its been about 2 weeks now that I've had this dull ache in my first finger on my right hand. Or...as my grandma calls it "yer trigger fanger". (And for those of you out there who know my family...Yep, its the same Grandma as "oh dear")

Is this really worth a visit to the doctor? I mean it IS effecting my daily routine. Its hard to write, it hurts to bend, it feels swollen but doesn't look swollen, and its just kind of annoying.

I don't want to be "run to the doctor for everything" girl.

CRISP AND REFRESHING...like a 7-up.

That is how I would describe THE GROVE CHURCH womens retreat this weekend. It was crisp (weather) and refreshing (sinking in the word and feeling rejuvinated).

Last years womens retreat was over the subject of being content with yourself and where God "has you" in life...and it ended up being a "ball my eyes out" fest! I ended up being the "token cryer". YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!!!!

Every time there is a gathering of women...especially in a spiritual setting...the tears are bound to fall. Well, last year, I was that lady. I really felt, and still feel, that God finally broke me. I was like an un-bridled beast that needed to be fit to the mouth bit and lead completely by God, not by my own accord. (or CRV in my case. Get it?...Honda accord??? Budump bump!)

Anyway, THIS year God spoke to me about finding your niche (or flavor in life) and giving in to complete brokeness. The speaker referred to the Mary in the bible that broke a jar of perfume in her hand over Christs head to annoint him with perfumed oil. It was all she had to give, so she gave it. But WHY DID SHE BREAK THE JAR when she could have saved it for more perfume? I think it was because that the jar itself was worth alot of money aswell (it was made from alabaster) and she wanted to give HER ALL!!!!!!!!! (The perfume was extremely expensive "spikenard" scent, and worth a months wages.) It was also TOTALLY symbolic of Christs body being broken on the cross and his blood flowing to annoint us. WOW!

Anyway...back to the jar. I feel as if last year, God broke me like the lady broke the jar. It was all I had to give...which is nothing but myself. And from this...he is slowly...VERY SLOWLY...putting me back together in the manner HE wants. A way that is more glorifying to him.

As many of you know, in January, I started the year of the complete "Life change". I am still claiming that over me! I know that God is stirring up something great for me, and that THIS is not all there is to ME! PRAISE GOD. ...and Lord, please make the "chubby phase" end soon as well.

Yah...so, maybe I'm just on a spiritual high...or maybe JUST MAYBE...God really IS doing something miraculous in me! I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE THE LATTER! WHO'S WITH ME?