Tis' the Season

November and December are my favorite months!! I love the cool, crisp weather - the food - the smells - the lights - the nativity scenes - and the joy that often comes with the holidays. The joy of seeing a friend or family member open a gift....the joy of visiting with those you don't see all year....the joy of a surprise.....the joy of a slaved-over recipe turning out divine!
However, I know that this can also be the most depressing time of the year for some people.

So, let's all try to make this year joyful for everyone! Money is not the key here....at all. Here are a few things you could do to make this time joyful for someone, even a stranger... (taken from http://comfortablydomestic.com/):

• Make eye contact.
• Give a warm smile.
• Hold the door for someone.
• Hold the elevator.
• Let someone merge into traffic.
• Put change in an expired parking meter.
• Buy someone a cup of coffee.
• Invite someone to check out in front of you at the store.
• Listen to someone–hear their story.
  
• Bring someone a meal.
• Visit someone (I added this one....after discovering what a joy Ms. Brunie, at the nursing home is. My daughter and I visit her monthly since her family won't. She is such a joy to us, as we are to her)
  
• The possibilities are endless. Imagine how great it would be if everyone made it a point to pass on a little random kindness each day.

Kindness ripples.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas, my friends! :)

Courageous!!

My workstudy student had her DAY OLD laptop stolen today (she literally got it brand new in the mail yesterday!). It was stolen in between classes - she left it on her desk, and went to make copies for me. When she came back it was gone! It happened in an instant. She knew the thief couldn't be TOO far away, so she took off in her car looking for people near/around our building with her black laptop bag.

She found a guy walking with her bag! She hopped out of her car, confronted the guy, and he said "Well, it was just laying there." <---((ha! so, I guess that means it was his, huh? People are such idiots.)) Anyway, she ripped the bag off of his shoulder, and told him to follow her to the police station on campus. With a few choice words, he told her "NO!" and ran off through the field headed to the president's house. Luckily, someone passed by and saw the chaos, and called campus police! Campus police came and arrested the guy at gun point (yea, they are REAL police, not just flashlight security guards!). He is now kicked out of school & is arrested with a felony charge. The highlight of the whole ordeal, is that this thief was so scared, he.....pooped his pants. Serves him right! LOL! :) I think my workstudy student (who is a granny by the way), was one courageous woman! I don't know if I could have done what she did! I am so very proud of her.....for standing up against WRONG, even if he was bigger and badder than she was! I bet he will think twice before stealing again!

My Heritage - Dad's Side

My uncle Robert shared some pictures with me of my dad's father. It is always fun to look back on my heritage - my roots. Pictures from my dad's side of the family are rare (unlike my mom's side). I never met my dad's father, J.C. Lewis, or his dad....but these pictures help me to feel some connection to them somehow.

Back in the Saddle

Sorry I haven't updated my blog much this summer. Maybe once I get going again this semester I can post some more goodies. :)

I have to share this picture with you. Read what my friend Morgan posted on her blog to explain the picture:

"We hosted The Current at our house for an event called "Back in the Saddle". The Current is our young-adult ministry for ages 18 to thirty- somethings at Northwood. We had a blast! The day started out with a huge thunderstorm which dumped a ton of rain, but we still had over 20 people show up. Jeffry had penned up a calf and greased a pig...I can't even begin to tell you how hilarious it was to watch everyone!"

When she says "hilarious" it is not an understatement. God dumped that rain just so we would have a bunch of MUD to play in! I have never laughed so much in my life! And I have to say we were ALL supposed to dress up like cowboys/cowgirls. But I am the only one looking like a fool in the picture! LOL ~ I DID win the costume contest though! whoop! :)

I have to say I have the best church family ever.













This is a picture of Morgan's husband, Jeffry & our youth pastor, Micah.

sum-sum-summatime!

Summertime is here for me! I probably won't be making many posts to my blog until August. I will try to go without internet all summer - except on my phone. I'm staying out of the office, and enjoying my summer this year! This is the first summer I have had FREE....no grad school, no teaching, no side projects....just free to do anything I want! :)
So, here are a few of my plans:

• Go visit my sister, her husband, & their sweet kids!!!!!!!
• Go to Panama City with my daughter's dance team....for a whole week! Can you say TAN?
  
• Celebrate my husband's birthday , our anniversary, and my birthday! We've already decided on Ruth's Chris for HIS birthday. YummmEE.....
  
• 4th of July camping (in cabins of course, not tents) hehe ;)
  
• Learn how to knit (at least the basics), so I can one day make cute stuff like this.
• Read my Bible, and study more of His word. - No excuse for not having time!!
  
• Paint at LEAST one room in my house.....I am thinking gray walls for the bathroom.....and this shower curtain......what do you think?

I hope you enjoy your summer! :)

Brag!!

This weekend was great!! I watched my daughter dance her heart out on stage at the KAR dance competition in Mobile, AL. Her facial expressions while she is dancing are tooooo cute! She definitely can work the stage! Her trio group, "Dance to the Music", took home a Top First place award, and also 1st place Overall. Her company group, "Covergirl" took home an Elite Top First place award. Also, the studio got the "Top Secondary Studio" out of all of the studios there this year!!! If you don't know what all that means.....it means they did awesome! :) We will be headed for a week-long trip to Panama City Beach this summer for National Competition! So happy for the girls. And as for me, I am getting pretty darn good at putting those false eyelashes on!!!

what happened??

Old-time etiquette is disappearing. Sad to say. With each generation, we are seeing less and less of the common rules of courtesy. People don't say thank you much, don't open doors, don't write handwritten notes like they used to, and don't even give the "litte wave" when you let them out in traffic!! Just the basics are starting to disappear.

Last night at my daughter's second-grade school program I noticed this PROBLEM of our society. Sitting behind me was a child (old enough to know better) playing his PlayStation with volume on high. No earphones. No mute. Just playing loudly while the program was going on. His mom sitting beside him. I could barely hear the presentation because of his violent game playing in my ear! I thought **I need to ASK him to mute his game, no I need to TELL him to mute his game, how rude!** Then I thought **No....mind your own business, Stay out of it, you will get violent** Luke, my husband, would be happy that I minded my own business; however, today I wish I would have spoke up! :)

Then, as I was looking around the room I noticed the MOTHERS and FATHERS were just as disrespectful as the kiddos!! Texting, taking on their phones, smacking gum (my dad even noticed that one!), etc... What is going on!? The kids have seen this growing up, and now think it is normal. We have got to get some manners! If people want to act that way at home, fine. But in a public setting, a presentation afterall, there needs to be some respect for the presenter AND the precious kids who have prepared for this special day!

So, enough of my venting.

Here is helpful link, from the queen of etiquette - Emily Post, if you think you are "one of those" parents. :) OR, if you just want to read up on modern etiquette.

Kids can even use this site for prom etiquette, cell-phone manners, etc!

Can You Handle It?

I know a lot of people going through hard times right now.....whether it be finances, addictions, health, or family. This poor economy seems like it is just making its way to Mississippi....just like fashion, it is always a few years LATE! haha :) Things are tight, and are getting harder for everyone. I have students and co-workers going through MORE than you could ever imagine!!! And just this month it seems like I have heard the line, "God will never give you anything you can't handle!" a million times being said around me. I have always believed this old saying.....until last night.
Last night I heard a different take on this old saying. A preacher man said "I think God WILL give people MORE than they can handle, just so they will realize they can't do it alone. People need God." Wow! Never thought of it that way. Interesting. Yup...preacher man was right! I have to say that I have been through some tough times myself. I made a lot of wrong decisions and went over many bumps in the road. But without prayer, and without God working in my life, I don't believe that I would have EVER made it through.
If you don't know Him, I encourage you to develop that relationship. It is super easy to do. Believe me, there is nothing that will fulfill your life like Him!

Athropologie!

Anthropologie has some of my favorite things, although they are quite expensive. From ruffled shower curtains, to chunky jewelry, they have the most unique products. I just browse, and dream.

I just can't get over the CUTE kitchen towels....I want them ALL!!!

Do you have a site like this that you enjoy? Tell me about it!! :)

American IDOL!!!!

Last season I didn't watch American Idol at all. This season I have only been able to catch the ladies. I always miss the days with the guys. But, I have my favs....and I wanted to share them with you. Tell me who your fav is.....

My two favorites ARE *drum roll*...... Siobhan Magnus and Didi Benami!!! Everyone seems to love Crystal Bowersox. Yes, she can sing. But she reminds me of a bar singer. And everytime she sings, my husband jokes and says "I would like to sniff her hair!" haha :) Crystal doesn't seem like she REALLY wants it either. So, go Siobhan and Didi!!! :)

ugggghhh.....

I am getting frustrated with my blog design. I pick a background I like, and my fonts won't work with it.... I pick a background I like, and something is always wrong. Bear with me as I get my blog looking just how I like it! :) Today, it is looking a tacky MESS!!!

So proud of my bloggers!!

I must say, I am SO proud of my students! In my Communication Technology class, we created blogs. Here are the links so you can visit them! :)

http://www.jensbakingbits.blogspot.com/

http://www.bloggerbride2010.blogspot.com/

http://www.jenlmay.blogspot.com/

http://www.foryourfashion.blogspot.com/

http://www.candicevandrell.blogspot.com/

http://www.shainalyons.blogspot.com/

http://www.keneshiasworld.blogspot.com/

http://www.fallonsfashion.blogspot.com/

http://www.creativitycannon.blogspot.com/

http://www.mandispiers.blogspot.com/

http://www.k-dazzlin.blogspot.com/

http://www.sassystylez.blogspot.com/

Ash Wednesday

Today marks Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, the traditional 40-day period of fasting and prayer before Easter. Although I am not Catholic, I have decided to give UP something this year (until Easter). You may, or may not, know that I am HOOKED to Facebook. So, after discussing Mardi Gras and Lent with my daughter she decided to give up Coke. I asked her what is something that mom should give up....her answer was Facebook! I thought it was a great idea, considering how Facebook consumes my time. So, that is what I will do! :)

I encourage you to think of one thing that you really enjoy and see if you can go without until Easter. For your health, for your mental sanity, to help you do better in school/work, to focus on something more important....whatever your reason is. My reason is... Facebook is NOTHING compared to the price Jesus paid for me! I can do without for a while to focus on more important things!

Geaux Saints!!

Today, for Wishful Wednesday, I am wishing for the Saints to win the SUPERBOWL!!! I have never been a football fan, until this year! The Saints have made me a football gal!!!! I am rooting for the Saints because it is their first time to the Super Bowl, and everyone needs a chance, right?! :)

I hope all of you have a fun, Super Bowl Sunday! Who Dat!? Now I have to go figure out what to cook for the party....

Hello Out There?

Does anyone read this blog? Sometimes I wonder. Am I posting things that noone even cares to look at? :)

I know I have one dedicated blog reader, Laci. Thanks Laci for commenting. It lets me know that someone actually sees my blog, likes it, and cares to let me know.

I LOVE comments....so leave me one!

Nine Days Later...

The natural disaster in Haiti is heart breaking. A friend shared a link with me today, and I am shocked by the pictures. Some of the images can be disturbing.

Click the link below, and comment.
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/haiti_six_days_later.html

Wishful Wednesday!

Instead of telling you what I *wish* for, today I am going to tell you about what I *wished* for and got.

I absolutely love, love, love anything with significance/meaning. A tattoo with meaning, a rock with meaning, it doesn’t matter. If it has a good story behind it, I LOVE it. Well, I have a few fabulous pieces of furniture (a clock, a buffet, etc…) that were passed down to me from my great-grandmother in Connecticut. Grandma Terrell has been gone for many years, but I can see my heritage when I look at these pieces. I get a warm, fuzzy feeling when I think about the strong bond that the women in our family have. And the furniture is a little piece of my family that I can always hang on to, even when they are gone.

Anyway, my mother made her FIRST “rag quilt” for Blaire’s first birthday (my niece).
And I just thought it was so special. Something that Blaire will treasure as she grows older. Not only was it GORGEOUS, my mother’s hands labored over the quilt for hours until it was JUST perfect. I mentioned to my mom that I would like a quilt too for Christmas. AND, that is just what I got! **Because I’m spoiled like that** J

My quilt took MANY, MANY more hours to make than Blaire’s because it is King size. I don’t know that I have ever seen a king size “rag quilt”….only lap-sized because they take so long to make. All of the fringy-rags were clipped by my sweet mom’s hands! I will treasure this quilt, and pass it down to the generations that follow me. This quilt is better than ANYTHING that could be bought! Thanks to my mom!

Love ole' Zig!

I love this Zig Ziglar quote: "You ARE what you are, and you are WHERE you are, because of what has gone into your mind. You change WHAT you are, and you change WHERE you are, by changing WHAT goes into your mind."

I couldn't agree more. There becomes a point of when you surround yourself with negativity....you become negative. My mom always said if you hang around dirty dogs you will get fleas! This is true! You are influenced by what you read, what you watch on TV or at the movies, by what you listen to on your ipod or radio. You choose to LET these things into your mind, and we must be verrrrry careful of what we let claim our attention. Because it will, at some point, become what we think is normal and acceptable.

I want to challenge each of you reading this post today to focus on what you are putting in your mind. Is it something to improve YOU? If not, run from it! :) For an interesting, positive read, click on the Success Magazine link to read"Zig Ziglar's Lessons From the Top": http://www.successmagazine.com/Zig-Ziglars-Lessons-From-The-Top/PARAMS/article/337/channel/19#

Summer is here!

Summer is here, and I hope it is a wonderful one for you! I will be extremely busy this summer with my comps at USM, and a summer project that I am working on. You will probably not see much of me, if any, on my blog. See you in the fall! :)

Sorry it has been so long....

With the holidays, I did not have much time to update my blog. Sorry! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

Dave Ramsey, is one of my new favorite people. You can visit his website at http://www.daveramsey.com/. He is helping me become debt-free, and hopefully a millionaire one day! :) As I was listening to him on the radio the other day, he mentioned GOAL SETTING. I have summarized what he said on the radio below...

I encourage you to set clear, measurable goals for the new year. One key component to goal setting, is WRITING them on paper.

Set goals for your life in the following areas:

• Career (school?)
• Financial
• Spiritual (want to read the Bible all the way through?)
• Physical (don't just say "lose weight". Come up with a specific amount, and a specific time frame)
• Intellectual (do you want to read more books? The average millionaire reads 1 book a month)
• Family (want to spend more family time? family time does not include watching TV)
• Social

One thing Dave always says is "Failure is not permanent." So, whatever is going on in your life, or whatever has been thrown your way....keep a positive attitude and set goals to improve your life.