Photo of the Day – PhotoFunia

One of my Flickr contacts turned me on to a site called PhotoFunia. You can take a photo of yourself, or someone else, and create a cool new picture with some interesting effects.

Here’s mine:

I want to see your’s now! If you visit my blog you’re tagged! If you don’t want to post it on your blog you can post it in Facebook or send to my email.

 

Photo of the Day – Charlotte

While snapping pix of of the desert cactus flowers I had an interesting little visitor on one of my little blossoms –  a little spider. I’m calling her Charlotte.

I can’t tell you what kind of spider this is, I suppose I should look it up…but it’s late, so I’m going to hit the hay instead. The boys are getting confirmed in their church tomorrow morning and we’ve got to get there a little early.

 

Photo of the Day: Spring in the Desert

We went shooting with some friends a few weeks ago and had a “blast”! I also took some pictures while I was out there in the desert. I know, you’re shocked, right?

Here is one of my favorite shots of the day.

 

Wyoming

My sister-in-love, who has been one of my dearest friends since the 8th grade, sent this to me in an email. Anyone who knows me knows that I am from Wyoming. I am proud of being from Wyoming. I miss living in Wyoming. I miss my family and friends that still live in Wyoming and I desperately miss the BIG HORN MOUNTAINS in Wyoming.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Arizona and Colorado, too. But Wyoming was and always will be my “home”. Wyoming  is where my children were born and raised, it is where I learned to drive in the mountains and it is where I know that someone driving down a dirt road will smile and wave at me, whether they know me or not.

A WINTER STATISTIC:

98% OF AMERICANS SCREAM BEFORE GOING IN THE DITCH ON A SLIPPERY ROAD. THE OTHER 2% ARE FROM WYOMING AND THEY SAY, ‘HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS.’

 You’re from WYOMING:

• If you’ll eat ice cream in the winter.
• When the weather report says it’s going to be 65 degrees, you shave your legs and wear a skirt.
• It snows 5 inches and you don’t expect school to be canceled.
• You’ll wear flip flops every day of the year, regardless of temperature.
• You have no accent at all, but can hear other people’s. And then you make fun of them.
• ‘Humid’ is over 25%.
• Your sense of direction is: Toward the mountains and Away from the mountains.
• You say ‘the interstate’ and everybody knows which one.
• You think that May is a totally normal month for a blizzard.
• You buy your flowers to set out on Mother’s day, but try and hold off planting them until just before Father’s day.
• You grew up planning your Halloween costumes around your coat.
• You know what the Continental Divide is.
• You don’t think Coors beer is that big a deal.
• You’ve gone off-roading in a vehicle that was never intended for such activities.
• You always know the elevation of where you are.
• You wake up to a beautiful, 80 degree day and you wonder if it’s going to snow tomorrow.
• **You don’t care that some company renamed it, the Broncos still play at MILE HIGH**
• Every movie theater has military and student discounts.
• Everybody wears jeans to church.
• You know what a ‘trust fund hippy’ is, and you know its natural habitat is Boulder, CO.
• A bear on your front porch doesn’t bother you.
• Your two favorite teams are the Broncos and whoever is beating the ….. out of the Raiders.
• When people out East tell you they have mountains in their state too, you just laugh.
• You go anywhere else on the planet and the air feels ’sticky’ and you notice the sky is no longer blue.

 

More About Me…cuz I can’t think of anything else to write.

Since I can’t come up with anything original at the  moment, I stole this one from Sassybug at  A Few Degrees Short of a Right Angle who stole it from Ms. H over at Molding Young Minds.

 

1. First thing you wash in the shower?
I wet my hair and then wash my face.

2. What color is your favorite hoodie?
I don’t own a hoodie, persay. But my favorite jacket that has a hood on it is my Air Force jacket that my son gave me.

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?.
Of course.

4. Do you plan outfits?
Not really, but I should. It would save me a lot of time in the mornings if I did.

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?
Sleepy…very sleepy

6. What’s the closest thing to you that’s red?
Well, there’s a picture of my hubby and youngest stepson  at a Diamondbacks game and my hubby has a red shirt on in the picture

7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?
Freaky…I dreamt that I was chasing someone who had broken into my house.

8. Did you meet anybody new today?
A couple of guys that came to the office to haul off an old filing cabinet.

9. What are you craving right now?
Sleep, really need sleep

10. Do you floss?
Daily, sometimes more than once.

11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?
Corned beef and cabbage. Oh! And cabbage rolls, my mom use to make the BEST ones…I think she called them cabbage burgers. YUMMY

12. Are you emotional?
Ummmm, yeah. Definitely.

13. Have you ever counted to 1,000? Not recently.

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?
I don’t bite into anything that is cold. My teeth are WAY too sensitive for that.

15. Do you like your hair?
It’s okay. Better than if I were bald.

16. Do you like yourself?
I try to.

17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush?
Yes, definitely. And I wouldn’t want to talk politics, either.

18. What are you listening to right now?
Reba, on Lifetime. And the A/C running.

19. Are your parents strict?
My dad was a “My way or the highway” kind of person. My mom was strict, but not unfairly so.

20. Would you go sky diving?
There was a time that I thought I would like to…I’m not sure I would now.

21. Do you like cottage cheese?
Yep, with lots of black pepper.

22. Have you ever met a celebrity?
I work for a celebrity!

23. Do you rent movies often?
I’m in Blockbuster’s version of Netflix.

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you’re in?
My diamonds that my hubby bought me that I’m wearing. (My earrings and three rings)

25. How many countries have you visited?
USA and just inside the border of Mexico…but I don’t really feel like I’ve BEEN to Mexico.

26. Have you made a prank phone call?
When I was in junior high. Not recently.

27. Ever been on a train?
I’ve been on one, but never on a moving train. I want to ride the Grand Canyon Railway to the Grand Canyon some day.

28. Brown or white eggs?
Either, an egg is an egg is an egg. But chicken eggs only, please.

29.Do you have a cell-phone?
Yep, unlimited minutes.

30. Do you use chap stick?
I use the Carmex brand.

31. Do you own a gun?
I have a .243 that my husband bought me for Valentines Day/Anniversary/Birthday. On the other hand, he owns 5 guns.

 

32. Can you use chop sticks? Not very efficiently

33. Who are you going to be with tonight?
My hubby and probably 2 of our 3 kitties

34. Are you too forgiving? Probably so.

35. Ever been in love?
Yes, and I’m still in love with him.

36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow?
Probably working. Just like me.

37. Ever have cream puffs?
Yep, I love the ones that come from the bakery.

38. Last time you cried?
Last night.

39. What was the last question you asked?
Can you wait until I’m done posting on my blog?

40. Favorite time of the year?
spring, when the spring flowers bloom

41. Do you have any tattoos?
I’ve considered it…but I don’t have any yet.

42. Are you sarcastic?
Sometimes

43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect?
Huh?

44. Ever walked into a wall?
Yep, and I have a scar on my nose to prove it.

45. Favorite color?
Aqua

46. Have you ever slapped someone?
Yep, unfortunately.

47. Is your hair curly?
Not even a little bit.

48. What was the last CD you bought?
Michael Sweet – Him

49. Do looks matter? Depends on the situation.

50. Could you ever forgive a cheater?
Forgiving is one thing, sticking around to let it happen again is quite another.

51. Is your phone bill sky high?
My cell phone bill is pretty high.

52. Do you like your life right now?
Other than debt, it’s pretty good.

53. Do you sleep with the TV on?
Rarely, very rarely.

54. Can you handle the truth?
It’s better than a lie.

55. Do you have good vision?
I wish.

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people?
Nope, only 2.

57. Do you talk on the phone a lot?
Answering phones is part of my job.

58. The last person you held hands with?
My hubby, at church on Sunday during prayer.

59. What are you wearing?
Tan slacks, a sweater and a cami.

60.What is your favorite animal?
Elk

61. Where was your default picture taken at?
what is a default picture?

62. Can you hula hoop?
Haven’t tried in quite some time, but I used to be able to.

63. Do you have a job?
Yep, and I love it.

64. What was the last thing you bought?

food

65. Have you ever crawled through a window?
yep

 

Movie Night

Recently I rejoined Blockbuster Total Access. I pay a set amount each month and they send me three movies at a time, which I have chosen and added to my queue on their website. Yesterday I got three movies, including Steel Magnolias,  I Am Sam and Tombstone. 

Rob has been next door tonight helping fix the neighbor’s computer so I decided to pop in one of the movies. Rob wants to see Tombstone so I chose one of the others…I Am Sam. Wow!! I’m not sure why I hadn’t seen this one before, but it is an amazing movie!

I have never been a huge Sean Penn fan, but I have to admit that his acting in this movie was Oscar worthy, in my opinion. He was nominated, but didn’t win. Michelle Pfieffer was stellar, as well. And Dakota Fanning… that little girl had mad acting skills even at that age. She won several awards for her performance.

The story itself was what initially captured my attention. A mentally retarded man fights for custody of his 7 year old daughter. He has raised his daughter from infancy and all of a sudden she is ripped away from her daddy and the only home she’s ever known.  He finds an excellent, but rather cold-hearted, lawyer who ends up taking his case (pro-bono). She quickly finds out that while Sam may have the mental capacity of a 7 year old, he knows more about love and family than she does…by far.

I haven’t been this touched by a movie in a long time. The relationship between Sam and Lucy is so special and loving. Lucy knows her daddy is “different” but she knows that no one loves her the way he does.

Sam’s friends agree that Lucy belongs with her daddy.  One of my favorite quotes is from his friend, Annie, that is in court testifying on his behalf.

Rita: Now, Ms. Cossell, in all the time that you’ve known them, have you ever questioned Sam’s ability as a father?
Annie: Never.
Rita: Never?
Annie: Never. Look at Lucy. She’s strong. She displays true empathy for people, all kinds of people. I know that you all think she’s as smart as she is despite him, but it’s because of him.
Rita: So what you’re saying is you don’t worry about Lucy’s future?
Annie: No, I do.
Rita: Ah…
Annie: I worry all the time. I worry if they take Lucy away from her father they will take away an enormous piece of her, and I worry that she will spend the rest of her life trying to fill that hole.

My favorite scene between Sam and Lucy goes like this:

Lucy: Daddy, did God made for you to be like this or was it an accident?
Sam: Ok, what do you mean?
Lucy: I mean you’re different.
Sam: But what do you mean?
Lucy: You’re not like other daddies.
Sam: I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Yeah, I’m sorry.
Lucy: It’s ok, daddy. It’s ok. Don’t be sorry. I’m lucky. Nobody else’s daddy ever comes to the park.
Sam: Yeah! Yeah! Yeah, we are lucky. Aren’t we lucky? Yeah!

If you haven’t seen this one, you really should. There is some bad language in it so I wouldn’t recommend it for young kids (it’s rated PG-13 because of the language).

 

I Love My Job!

I really do love my job. I get to talk to some of the most interesting people in the world.  I’ve played the roles of a  sounding board, counselor, customer service rep, a sympathetic ear and reality checker.  I get to help people every day, and I thrive on that!

Another fun benefit of my job is that I get to talk (sometimes) to famous people. Last week I spoke with Robert Fuller (aka Dr. Kelly Brackett on Emergency and Cooper Smith on Wagon Train).  He is a very kind man who has a voice as smooth as silk. Thankfully it didn’t quite hit me who Robert Fuller actually is until I had taken the message and hung up the phone. I’m sure I would have said something totally lame like, “I had such a crush on you when you were on Emergency!”.

                                                      

 Robert Fuller as Cooper Smith on Wagon Train

                    

 

                                                                       

Today I spent more than a half hour on the phone with Hugh O’Brian (aka Wyatt Earp) . That guy is a hoot!  He called to order True West’s Maniac package.   I asked him if he wanted to be a 5 Year Maniac  or a Lifetime Maniac. The basic difference is in the term of the magazine subscription. He said to me, “I’m 84 years old, I don’t know how much longer I’m going to live. Better make it a 5 Year subscription.”  During the course of our conversation Mr. O’Brian also told me that he was the youngest Marine to ever become a Drill Instructor. He was 17 years old in 1943 and became a DI right out of Basic Training. I think that’s pretty impressive!   He sent me to his two websites: http://hughobrian.me/ and http://www.hoby.org/ .

               

As Wyatt Earp    

 

HUGH O’BRIAN AT WYATT EARP’S BIRTHPLACE
Actor Hugh O’Brian, who played legendary Old West lawman Wyatt Earp in the popular 1950s and ’60s television series, made an appearance at the Wyatt Earp birthplace Saturday during the 160th anniversary celebration in Monmouth, Il. August 9, 2008

I was talking to my co-worker after speaking to Mr. O’Brian and she mentioned that he has a birthday party coming up and I should have asked for invitations for our group! I said that I thought it would be fun, but I wasn’t going to ask. She said, “That’s okay, they’re all old guys now anyway.”

I’m think they would be a whole lot more interesting than Paris Hilton, Brangelina or Lindsay Lohan…whaddya think?

 

 

A Wonderful Day

My sister-in-love picked me up this morning for a little birthday celebration (my b-day is later this week) and we went shopping up in Cave Creek. We didn’t buy much; just shopped and looked and enjoyed a beautiful spring day. We stopped at a little place and ate Navajo tacos and fry bread with honey and powdered sugar for lunch. YUMMY!! There is nothing I love more than fry bread, but man am I full!! And it’s been at least 4 hours since lunch!

We shopped at places like The Town Dump, The Horny Toad Gift Shop and The Boulders. I found a nice cross that was marked down 50% at a candle shop so I got it for under $15. I have a few Mexican crosses on my patio and add to my collection whenever I find something that suits my fancy. There was a wonderful kitty at the shop as well and I spent several minutes petting him and giving him lots of attention, which he loved!

My SIL bought a cute little pottery dish for me and an adorable bird wind decoration for my hubby that is now proudly hanging from the ceiling of the patio.

It’s been a lovely day in every way! I even got a little housework done this morning before getting ready to go! Yay me!!

 

Fun Family Fotos

We took a trip out to Table Mesa with Nick, Brenden and Diana a couple of weekends ago. I shot some nice pix of the family!

Nick is growing to be a wonderful young man.  He never fails to thank me whenever I fix a meal for him, whether it’s a sandwich or a full on family supper!

Brenden is full of spunk and sass and never fails to make us laugh!  He has a great wit and can conjure up a witty comeback with little effort.

The love of my life enjoys taking his boys out and spending time with them. They are the reason we are living in Arizona and when we have the boys with us we know we are right where we want to be.

Another bonus of living in Arizona again is spending time with our other family members. Diana, Rob’s niece, is a lovely young woman whom we love spending time with. We had so much fun with her that day at Table Mesa. (Don’t tell her I posted this picture, she doesn’t like it!) The boys really enjoyed having her along that day.

 

How did the new blog get its name?

I grew up in the Baptist church. We sang hymns from the hymnal. We didn’t have “praise and worship” like the church I attend now has. I love our praise and worship time at church, but sometimes I miss the old hymns from the Baptist church, too. One of my favorite hymns is called “Learning to Lean”.

I’ve been a Christian most of my life. That means that I accepted Christ as my Savior a long time ago. I’ve made many mistakes since that time. I’ve fallen away a few times, only to be lovingly drawn back into the arms of  Jesus time and time again. He’s never given up on me…not even when I gave up on myself.

Being without a job has been hard on me. I feel like I’ve failed my family, and failed God. I’ve looked and searched and sent out my resume’ to countless job ads…but still nothing. I’ve interviewed and gotten positive feedback, only to get a rejection call within a few hours afterward saying that they’ve decided to pursue other candidates, but they wish me well in my job search.

So the song “Learning to Lean” has come to be very special to me. I’ll post the lyrics below:

Learning to Lean Words and Music by John Stallings © 1976 HeartWarming Music/BMIProverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”           Chorus          I’m learning to lean, learning to lean,          Learning to lean on Jesus.          Finding more power than I’d ever dreamed,          I’m learning to lean on Jesus. The joy I can’t explain fills my heart, Since the day I made Jesus my King; His blessed Holy Spirit is leading my way, He’s teaching and I’m learning to lean. Chorus I’m learning to lean, learning to lean, Learning to lean on Jesus. Finding more power than I’d ever dreamed, I’m learning to lean on Jesus. There’s glorious vict’ry each day now for me, Since I found His peace so serene; He helps me with each task, if only I’ll ask; Ev’ry day now I’m learning to lean. Chorus I’m learning to lean, learning to lean, Learning to lean on Jesus. Finding more power than I’d ever dreamed, I’m learning to lean on Jesus. It’s possible that this song won’t mean anywhere close to the same to you as it does to me. For me it means that after many years of being a Christian, I’m finally learning to lean on Jesus and allow Him to be the source of my strength and confidence. It has given me the peace that has so long been missing from my life. I hope you are blessed by the words as well.     Photo taken at the Canaan in the Desert Prayer Garden.