Cooties

You read that right, the title says "cooties." I have them, all over my torso. A pharmacist thinks it's an allergic reaction to something (funny since I eat pretty much the same things and my routine is never extreme), a nurse friend claims possible heat rash. What do I think? It's the ugly cooties. I didn't get my shot properly I suppose. Note to self: find well informed third grader to perform immunization of cooties next time.

I also think it's ugly. Good thing I don't walk around with my shirt up over my head. For more reasons than my rash, I believe that's just good thinking on my part. After running and my other workouts, it gets worse. I am aware that is because of how hot I get when I workout and how much I sweat (you wanted to know that didn't you?!?!), but it's still gross.

So, I now take a bath using Aveeno bath soak almost daily, have started using hydrocortisone on the infected area, and take a Benadryl at night (the last two were suggested by the pharmacist). Hopefully it will go away soon; should I have the desire to throw my shirt up* like I'm in the middle of Mardi Gras, I would prefer for no one to be grossed out by cooties.

*regardless of the circumstance, I will not be partaking in this action out in public, but it sure was funny to type.

Got questions? Here are some answers for you.

Our pastor is currently doing a series of sermons entitled, "You've got questions, we've got answers." Each week has been phenomenal! I dare you to check some of them out by going here. Be prepared to hear the absolute truth (a lost touch in our society), spoken in love, and presented clearly. These sermons ROCK!

For soldiers

I got an email from my dad today that had the following link in it:
http://www.flashdemo.net/gallery/wake/index.htm

Please click on the link to watch the video. It's phenomenal! As I was watching it, I thought of all the folks who spend so much energy protesting the war. If only they would spend that much energy sending care packages, or cards to the soldiers, or praying for them. I think that might be time better spent. Besides, who am I to tell someone who's chosen to defend all of us that what he or she is doing is wrong? Seems a bit stupid if you ask me.

So, next time you see someone who is serving in the armed forces, take them aside, and thank them.

My take on the Idols

As you all may know, I'm a bit opinionated. Shocking, I know. But, since I have been known to voice my opinions, I decided to let you all know where I stand on the current contestants on American Idol. Here we go:

Gina Glocksen: Rocker chick. If you like Pink, you will like her. Not the strongest voice on the show, but she doesn't make me cringe either. And if you know me, you know how I have an inner rock chick, so I like her.

Haley Scarnato: More "America's Next Top Model" than American Idol. First of all, wear clothes, secondly, you can't hold a candle to the other females vocally. Beautiful, but that's about it.

Jordin Sparks: This girl is only 17 and is freakin' amazing. I would like to see her lose however so she can wait a few years before entering the entertainment business. That way, maybe she won't turn into another wayward child like other pop stars have. If she's surrounded by folks who will keep her grounded, watch out. This girl is going to be HOT!

Lakisha Jones: The girl has pipes. She can belt it out with the best of them. I'm afraid, with our vain society, she'll be voted off merely because of her size. I hate that! The girl is GOOD!

Stephanie Edwards: Another great voice on the show, and she's a cutie. I don't think she's as strong as two of the other females, but she's still great to listen to.

Chris Richardson: If you like Justin Timberlake with a bit of a more nasaly sound, you will like Chris. He comes across as being as sweet as he can be, which made me like him. He's not bad at all.

Chris Sligh: Aside from wanting to mess with his "fro," the guy is alright. Not the strongest male, but fun to listen to. He is entertaining, and last night, seemed to have a blast. I also like his sense of humor.

Phil Stacey: More on the Chris Daughtry side of things, but I don't think he's as good as my boy Daughtry. A few notes were off, but he tore it up. I think he'll be strong on rock driven songs rather than ballads.

Sanjaya Malakar: *see note below

And my two favorites (you know, gotta save the best for last):

Blake Lewis: He's adorable, can sing, utilizes vocal pecussion, and can dance. A white boy who can actually move, I LOVE HIM! I really do like his voice. I would pay to go see him in concert. He should be in the finals, though he's not my top choice. Sorry Blake. Still, not only will I buy his cd, but his personality makes me want to befriend him too.

Melinda Doolittle: Crown the girl and end the show! Melinda is ridiculously talented, and honestly humble. I would sit and listen to her in an interview, listen to her sing, whatever. She's down to earth, just out doing her thing. What is her thing? Singing with a voice that brings down the house every week! She's incredible!!! I'm astonished she's not signed already. Melinda is precious in every way, and I pray the industry doesn't ruin her or sway her to conform. Not only are her vocals the strongest, but she also stands out because of her character. She's the strongest on the show. GIVE HER THE CROWN!!

*My mom once told me to say nothing if I had nothing nice to say. So, I'm using her advice here.

I caved into peer pressure...for 6 hours

I designed a myspace page 6 hours ago. It was cute, I had a great song, a great background, all of it. Then I sat and thought about how I like to simplify my life. So, I deleted the myspace page. I feel better now. I will be able to sleep tonight...ahhhhhh.

My Running Must Haves

Aside from my running clothes and shoes (which are sweet New Balance made for good support), these are my must haves for running:

Gear: sunglasses to keep the sun from scorching my eyes (yes, I wear sunscreen too), MP3 player to prevent complete boredom and to keep me moving, sports watch to keep track of times and speed drills.

*Supplements: Advocare O2 Gold - take an hour before running to help with breathing
Muscle Fuel: take 30 minutes before running and I feel like the energizer bunny during my run
Joint ProMotion: take with lunch to help my ankle (which has a plate and screws in it) and my knees

*For more information on AdvoCare products, go to www.advocare.com/06103098

My great friend Jami

Every now and then, I am blessed to make a friend with someone who makes life better. From the moment we met, it was like we had been friends forever. This my readers, is my friend Jami. She's a hoot. Lots of fun to be around, up for any adventure I create (they are vast people), and overall just an incredible human being. Andy and I LOVE when she comes to visit. It's like having family here, little maintenance required, and always enjoyable. Shoot, she even joined us for training Saturday morning. Rather than jogging, she chose to walk with Andy (proof she's smart too), and even protected him from the gate that jumped out and attacked my beloved. Luckily, he was unharmed, though his jacket to suffer a slight tear in the right shoulder. Without Jami there, who knows what might have happened!

Since I had no pictures of us except from the wedding where we both served as bridesmaids (and contrary to popular belief, we did not cause any trouble....well ok, maybe just a little bit), I had to take a few this weekend....enjoy.


This is Jami and I, up close, really close actually.

Here we are in front of a type of tree Jami likes. We think they are called Dogwoods, but who knows? we don't, so we came up with all kinds of names for it. However, I think she's right...she usually is.

Are you freakin' kidding me?!?!

Out of total and utter curiosity, I watched an episode of "My Super Sweet 16" on MTV. Even when I was teaching high school, I never wanted to slap a teenager as much as I do at this moment. Let's recap:

1. If I ever have a child, his/her first car will not be a brand new Lexus, Hummer, or Land Rover. In fact said child will be lucky if the thing has all doors attached and less than 100,000 miles on it.

2. One girl stated, "My parents spoil me, it means they love me." WHAT?!?! And we wonder what's going on with our world today.

3. Another comment on the show, "It's like everyone's revolving around me, I'm like the solar system." Hold up one stinking minute! At least we aren't raising a generation of completely self-indulgent jerks.

4. One girl claimed her party HAD to be better than another's, which was happening 3 weeks later, RIDICULOUS! And her mother complied with her every wish and command! Yea, a party at Chuck-e-cheese, and my kid better be thanking me for an entire year.

More proof of what a selfish nation we live in. So much of our motivation is driven by that which stimulates the senses. I don't know, what about simpler things: dinner, movie, serving others? Crazy I know. However, I give all of you permission to slap the fire out of me if I ever become an over indulgent parent who can't say no to their kid.

Where's the outlet? I need to plug in!!!

For the past few months, my desire has been to reconnect with friends who blessed my life, in many forms and fashions. I have wanted to reconnect with folks who "knew me when," could give your some dirt if they cared to, and could rejoice in where God has brought us. I want to plug in to all the beauty God has filled my life with.

In the age of technology and such, one would think this would be an easy task. However, as folks pack up and move away as they head out on the course marked out for them, it can be more of a challenge to stay connected. It makes my heart sad because the friends I have had have always held a very special place in my heart. I tend to be very protective of the people I love, probably because they choose to love me in spite of myself. I am energized by conversations with people who know me well, who knew my struggles before I chose to see them, and who saw the beauty in me when I saw nothing but the ugly. There is something very amazing about a person choosing to love another, accept them, and then encourage them to be better with each passing day. I love the challenges that those who know me best present me, and those who will not accept any excuse I may have to offer.

Within the past few months, I have "found" a few such friends. These friends have always been able to make me laugh, and have always encouraged me in my relationship with God. They are folks who I walked with throughout college and shortly thereafter, when I still had no idea who I was. These are individuals who were able to see my heart and my motivations despite the fronts I may have put up. These sweet people are ones I would happily fight beside and for in this life. I am blessed, deeply and richly blessed, to have known and to know human beings who are wonderful representatives of God himself. Thank you for reflecting His love so well.

I think there's something to learn here....

For about four days in a row, I was reading or hearing Psalm 73:26. After four days, I thought maybe I should really look at it, and even *gasp* share it.

Psalm 73:26 states, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

This, and a friend having brain cancer, spurred quite a discussion between Andy and I the other day. I asked him the following, "Even if something happens to me, will you praise the Lord?" I knew that he would say "Yes," but deep inside, I had to hear the "yes" from his own lips. That is what I want and desire more than anything. That no matter what may happen to me in this life, to know that my husband will continue to praise the Lord. Otherwise, my life has been for little more than entertainment, and I have failed at being his helper on this earth. Even as I type, my eyes fill with tears because God is so good, so very good. And whether in the eyes of defeat or the triumph of victory, He is worthy to be praised.

Jesus Painting

Sit back and enjoy, this is incredible. I actually saw a guy do this in Midland. It's amazing on video, even more so in person.

Amazing Grace

(Twice now, something has happened and my post disappears into the night. Clearly, this might be an important one or it wouldn't be getting so incredibly jacked up)

Andy took me to a movie Saturday, he's such a sweetie. We went to see "Amazing Grace," a movie we have both been anxious to see. Here's a brief overview of the movie, from the website:

Ioan Gruffudd plays Wilberforce, who, as a Member of Parliament, navigated the world of 18th Century backroom politics to end the slave trade in the British Empire. Albert Finney plays John Newton, a confidante of Wilberforce who inspires him to pursue a life of service to humanity. Benedict Cumberbatch is William Pitt the Younger, England's youngest ever Prime Minister at the age of 24, who encourages his friend Wilberforce to take up the fight to outlaw slavery and supports him in his struggles in Parliament.

Elected to the House of Commons at the age of 21, and on his way to a successful political career, Wilberforce, over the course of two decades, took on the English establishment and persuaded those in power to end the inhumane trade of slavery.

Romola Garai plays Barbara Spooner, a beautiful and headstrong young woman who shares Wilberforce's passion for reform, and who becomes his wife after a whirlwind courtship. Youssou N'Dour is Olaudah Equiano. Born in Africa and sent as a slave to the Colonies, Equiano bought his freedom and made his home in London, where he wrote a best-selling account of his life and became a leading figure in the fight to end the slavery of his fellow countrymen.

While viewing the movie's website, I came across this. The Amazing Change is seeking to end slavery that STILL exists today. Here are a few facts they had posted:

*"Many people find it hard to believe that slavery still exists. Whether it's bonded slavery with men, women and children toiling on plantations, in rice mills, brick kilns and many other industries; or, the deplorable and prevalent trade in humans to serve as sex slaves, slavery is flourishing in many parts of the world. It is still every bit as ugly as it was 200 years ago and it must end. It's estimated that 27 million people are in slavery around the world"

The movie in and of itself is beautiful, and moving. I sat in awe of this man who was willing to fight a system that was content, a system that saw its own interests above those of other human beings. For a few dollars, some members of Parliament were willing to "look the other way." It was disgusting, especially when I realized the same can be said of our world, today. If nothing else, go here to sign the petition to help end what should have been stopped a long time ago.

*Sourced by the UN, New York Times, Amnesty International, The Christian Science Monitor, and Free The Slaves, among others.

I am Known

This morning at church, we sang the most beautiful song entitled "He Knows My Name" by Tommy Walker. It is GORGEOUS! I absolutely loved it. As the praise team was singing this song, I had to just sit and wonder about the simple fact that God knows my name. Before my parents even spoke my name, God already knew it. Before anyone on this planet knew of me, God already knew me, knew my name, and called me by it. What an incredible fact.

I do not wonder where I belong in this world because I know I am His. I do not wonder what my purpose is, it is to worship Him. Why am I here? To glorify Him. What is it all for? To one day be with Him, the very one who has known me, and called me, by name, to himself. It is good, very good, to be known.

Madea Comparing People To Trees

Praise the Lord for the "roots" I have been given.

Madea Black Movie Awards

I love Madea!!!!