Fragments galore!

} It's Friday, right? Time to get my fragment on!

} Spent last weekend in Denver with my iPEC peeps. "What is iPEC?," you might ask. Well, it's the training program for my Life Coaching certification. This life coaching journey is a whole posting in-and-of-itself, so the short of it is that now that I've figured out I've been doing it my whole life, I decided to get official certification. This process is intense! Talk about personal development. And the things you get to overcome while in that safe place is amazing. I go into those intensive weekends thinking I'm going to just learn some more processes about how to help people get to breakthrough levels in their lives never dreaming that I'm reaching mine in the process! Awesomely amazing stuff going on.

} My precious cats, right? Remember that post about my cat in comparison to the "garden goddess?" Well, he finally killed the mouse - by default. He apparently chased it into an area it couldn't get out of, like stuck between two wall pictures I have stored behind my bedroom door. It took a few whiffs and strategic searching, but finally found the dead mouse in those pictures. Gross. All I can say about it.

} I'm going to Romania! Not by myself, but with a group that will be doing ministry work in teh village of Tinca, Romania. There's a ministry there, Forget-Me-Not Ministries, that is the hands and feet of Jesus to the forgotten Gypsy families in Tinca. It's a new part of the world for me, but the mission is the same - go love on people showing them the light of Christ in a dark world. Rachel and Dave, ministry partners, have started the Isaiah Center to take care of local children who's families cannot manage well without that support. Awesome ministry to partner with this year! But I have to tell you, I can't wait to schedule my next trip to the Philippines to see all my friends, brothers & sisters-in Christ there. Miss them greatly and emails just don't do the same.

} Summer's so close I can feel it...on my skin, in my sinuses, calf muscles, eyeballs...my body's really letting me know it's time to get active and used to the sun! The yardwork is paying off. At an 80% done mark for my retreat. So I'm saving that for a full post. :-) The garden's coming in nicely, flowers are getting planted and continue to bloom, it's just so beautiful!

} Starting a business is rewarding. I'm nervously excited to see who God's going to bring across my path. I'm very open to doing complimentary sessions (so let me know if you want to join in the fun!). I've put together a variety of workshops and possible retreat ideas. I'm hoping to get a chance to work with some corporations as well. I love the variety it offers. I'll be doing some public speaking in the next couple of months as well. Right now in the process of putting together all kinds of goodies to offer people to keep themselves on track in their personal growth. I love this life! Now I just need my bank account to fill to overflowing :-).

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Fragmented Life!

} Still busy. But I have a strategic summer plan now. May is my "Motion" month, June "Momentum," and July "Maintain." I will be focusing heavily on my life coach/freelancing business in June. I'm finishing work with the auction company this month. Turns out that I have been spending over 20 hours per week BEFORE an auction on auction work. And no, it's not the kind of money to be an actual income.

} And in May there are some projects I want ot get done so I can enjoy the summer: pool, retreat area, some sewing projects, and some inside projects. Like my computer table. My office is a hodge-podge of different furniture of different colors. It works though. However, my computer table used to be an outside patio table. I had painted it with outdoor paint and stenciled butterflies and dragonflies on it - in pretty colors. But this has totally clashed with by blue & red office. So I FINALLY got it outside, sanded it down, and repainted it a chiffon color (white w/touch of yellow). Very grown-up looking now. I should add the golden lasso maybe to match the room now. Don't really NEED to grow up in every area.

} Still helping out at the greenhouse. Love it - wish I had my own small greenhouse to at least start my plants every spring as well as grow all kinds of fancy stuff! This cactus is housed at the greenhouse. Not sure which cactus it is - but these blooms are fantastic. They only last a couple of days though. So glad I got this shot.







} My own yard is a late bloomer. Always has been. But I love it. I planted a couple of poppies last year and prayed they wouldn't get weedeated. Whaddya' know - they made it! And they're gorgeous.

} Then there was a couple other yard projects - the walkway and mailbox areas. My walkway has grown into a mismash of different hosta varieties and boxwoods. And it's not symmetrical - not pretty. So I moved a bunch of it around and invested in a couple varieties of columbine. Beautiful dainty bloomed shade plant. Then moved some hostas to the mailbox area. I have 10 varieties of hostas in my yard. Each one blooms differently. Talk about God's creativity. It's in action all over the place. I'll have enough hosta growth to separate and share next year!

} And then there's the KIA room. I'll have to get pictures of the latest. Next month I want it to be even cooler. Although, having it look like Hawaii in there makes me want to get my pool open even faster.

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Fragmented Week!

} Why, oh why am I not blogging like I used to? I've been out of my mind lately, that's why. I'm still surprised how since I've not had a 8-5 job to report every day, I don't write for my blog near as much. But I get to do other things more! Like clean the house...and work-out!

} Speaking of working out. I've been doing an Atkins diet (low carbs) and working out steady for about six weeks now. Guess how it's going? I've lost 20 pounds so far! Thank you Turbo Jam and Chuck Norris! Between this lady & her "crew" and Chuck Norris' Total Gym my workouts are actually fun. I can't seem to do much else right now. Well, maybe some Dancing With The Stars. Hard to pass up dancing with Maksim!

} Another reason I haven't been blogging as much is because I haven't been around my computer quite as much. I'm currently in FOUR Bible studies. And the meatiest of them is The Truth Project put together by Focus on the Family. This series explains truth, and how God's truth is not our truth in this world. Explains God's design for our selves, family, the state (government), education, our founding fathers (history), etc. This is one of the best studies I've ever seen! HIGHLY recommend it.

} Something else I get to do nowadays is watch the sunrise while I'm doing my Bible reading/devotionals/studies in the mornings. So in case you missed it, this was the sunrise yesterday. Woke up just in time for this one!

Love these Friday Fragments! For more - go see Mrs.4444 @ Half-Past Kissin' Time:

Fragment Time!

} Wow, where does the time go? My days are running all together now - I didn't realize it was Friday!

} My mom wants me to take my aprons and turn them into a side business. I have to admit, that "S" was a fine achievement! I'm working on a mother-daughter special design right now. Just picked up the material today. Needless to say, I don't think the fairies would snub their noses at it! AND, I have this great idea for a Batman apron...and of course, one for myself - Wonder Woman!

} So I don't work at KFC anymore, so what? I still like the food! And have your tried these new Fiery Grilled Wings? Zero Carbs, low fat - and some nice spicy-ness! So nice, that I've had them three times this week. Seriously helps to have some variety on a low-carb diet.

} And remember the baby nahavo-style blanket? Well, I think it's obvious how it went over!

Love these Friday Fragments! For more - go see Mrs.4444 @ Half-Past Kissin' Time:

Fragment time!

} I love these Friday Fragment sessions cause today that's about all I can do is fragment a thought or two out there.

} I FINALLY got the navaho baby blanket done (if you click the pic it'll get bigger)! This thing was tricky - you had to follow the insructions to the letter and count a lot. For crochet, I'm used to getting a "pattern groove," get the first bit of stitches down and you can just repeat and hardly ever look down. Not to mention my great-grandma taught me you always have to adjust a pattern to get it just right. No wonder I never saw her make on of these! But Grandpa of the Baby Cherokee Princess is going love this! The colors, although seemingly strange for a baby blanket (with black), is their family's tribal colors.

} Spent New Year's Eve with my BFFs watching movies, eating lasagna-spinach dip-frozen turtle pie, and playing Wii! It was my first time playing the Wii. I'm officially hooked! I knocked out a few other players in boxing with the help of my Turbo Jam training, won a match in tennis, busted a bunch of beach balls on my segway, and led a parade around the fountain (leave it to me the drum major to find the marching segment on the Wii Fit!). And I got to thinking about the different foods that are traditional meals for New Years. I've always heard to eat greens and black-eyed-peas for luck. Anybody do anything traditional meal-wise? I found a cool article on Epicurious if you want read more about it.

} I've already slept-in with a headache this morning. But maybe, just maybe if I get up and try to get motivated the feeling to go back to a warm cozy bed would be conquered.

HAPPY 2010 Everyone!

May the Lord bless you and keep y ou. May the Lord show you his kindness and have mercy on you. May the Lord watch over you and give you peace.

Love these Friday Fragments! For more - go see Mrs.4444 @ Half-Past Kissin' Time:

Friday Fragments!

} Last night we got a real treat...Chef Jerome! Oh man, our youth pastor is a culinary school graduate (he refuses to be called a chef), and he "whipped-up" a fantastic meal and dessert! HOMEMADE pasta. The freshly cut pasta was still drying on a string ran through their kitchen when we got there. I thought I had arrived in Italy. HOMEMADE Alfredo...yum, simply yum, with blackened grilled chicken. Delicious! Not to mention the special roasted red-pepper bread spread for the garlic bread. And salad, had to be good somewhere because the dessert - bananas flambe - just took up all the calories I had burned during my workout. The picture here (which is just one I found somewhere), doesn't do the live experience justice. As it's on fire, he adds cinnamon that makes sparks fly literally. It's just amazing and scrumptuous! I was honored to be treated to such a fine dining experience!

} I've made it a point to get more disciplined with my time these past couple of weeks. For anyone who knows me (and you'll see now), I'm a planner. I think I have finally devised a way to be structured with my time, but allow for interruptions/changes to flow. It may not look like it from the image here, but I really can go with the flow. The only thing that is non-negotiable, it that 7:00A time-slot...that's my morning meeting with God (or at least the first hour I get out of bed!).


} Christmas is upon us...already! I have not sent out the first Christmas card yet! And gift-giving will be at a minimum this year since I haven't had any sort of steady income. Only my mom gets the fancy gift, everyone else may get homemade goodies. I have to have some sort of excuse to eat sweets while working out every day!

} I did, however, get myself something for Christmas - a sewing machine. Nothing fancy, just has the basics, but it's a great start to mending stuff and getting creative. I already have a project getting started this weekend! Bill took one look at it and said I should change the name from 'brother' to Mystery Machine. Hmmm...maybe I should paint it green to match the flowers.

Love these Friday Fragments! For more - go see Mrs.4444 @ Half-Past Kissin' Time:

Friday Fragments!

} All I can say is that it takes so little to amuse and annoy pets. A brown paper bag, some pipe cleaners and clear tape dispenser rolls are the bulk of the toys. They have a toy box, most of their toys end up under the stove or refrigerator, and so far the tree is still in-tact. How’s that possible? I put jingle bells on the tree as an alarm system for “mom” to come running and they know their day is going to turn bad quick if that happens. But my boy has this aversion for my new slip-ons. The leopard print must freak him out.


} I found out unofficially from a physical therapist friend of mine that I probably have plantar fasciitis in my feet. They’ve hurt off-and-on over the years, and I’ve just chalked it up to dress shoes too many days in a row. But that last warm gorgeous day we had a couple weeks ago I walked around the lake and I could barely make it back to the truck. I couldn’t step on them the next morning at all without screaming. And when your feet kill you your work-outs are limited. So my mom let me borrow her Total Gym. Now I’m back up to doing some Turbo Jam and Total Gym, and if I can make it, some time on the treadmill. I have discovered those long-lost muscles! I just HAVE to keep going with this! I have this dress I am very determined to get into soon.

} Which leads me to the downfall of any weight loss regiment…dessert. We had Mike & Amy over this week to wish them well on their Guatemala mission trip (they leave tomorrow!). Well, I like to try to be a good hostess and asked Amy what her favorite dessert was…pie & ice cream. So I found this easy & delicious recipe for Apple pie. But I don’t have a round pie pan, so I finagled the square 9in. I made a few adjustments to the recipe – you know, a little extra here, little dash of cinnamon for the crusts, and added a caramel icing glaze. And yes, I used fresh apples. So completely homemade. With a little vanilla ice cream (not homemade) on the side. It was delicious beyond words. But I only had one piece! I gave the rest away. I’m proud of me. Missing the pie, but proud.

} I am finally getting around to getting my office totally purged. With two of us using it space is at a minimum. One of my most procrastinated projects has been to get all my shredding done from purged files and receipts for the past “x” years. A total of three hours and four bags later I was caught up! Now for that stack of filing that’s been piling up for months.

} Because of other commitments on Wednesday evenings I wasn’t able to participate with Greenville church’s ensemble for the Christmas program. However, I am getting the opportunity to be a part of Northside’s Family Choir for a weekend of services. We had one practice so far, Titus is the leader. And he rocks! He has a way of getting us to “feel it.” One of our songs is “O Happy Day.” We’ll be sounding like Sister Act in no time! Totally different atmosphere from singing with a choir for The Messiah.

Love these Friday Fragments! For more - go see Mrs.4444 @ Half-Past Kissin' Time:

Friday Fragments

} Thanksgiving day has come and gone - not much excitement this year since the family has gotten into an attitude of "Well, if she doesn't call me then I'm not calling her." So that left three of us to eat Thanksgiving day lunch together. It was nice, but a sad scene truth-be-told.

} The temperature DROPPED yesterday. It's getting into that season where it can look beautiful out, you get all excited to spend some time in it only to have your hopes dashed when you step out and get frost-bite. Time to adjust mentally to ice and snow temps! No walking around the lake for me.

} Took my truck to get looked at this week. He's leaking. Lots. But to his defense, he's got over 280,000 miles on him. It's the power steering pump, O2 sensor, and PCV valve. Basically $700 worth. The service people were almost beaming with pride, "Christy, this truck has been awesome for you! How many more miles do you think he can handle?" I think we're setting some records around there. And as long as the body holds up - he could have a future in truck pulls! (It's a real popular body style to get pimped-out for the truck pulls - he'd be in redneck heaven).

} I have now done something I can say I did at least once in my lief - I joined all the crazy people at 4 AM on Black Friday this morning. My mom wanted a camera and I wanted a sewing machine - so with my circulars in hand, off I went to Kohl's as my first destination. Unbelieveable is all I can say. I thought waiting in the unemployment line was long and arduous - it has nothing on the line I saw at 3:45 a.m.!!!! Not my thing really, so I passed on Kohl's. Then I just went all-out and went to Wal-Mart. KNOWING how crazy people are there. But one store didn't have any sewing machines and with the way they had "lines" set-up I couldn't figure out how to get back to even see the cameras. So I got my few grocery items and went on. I'm hungry at this point - try finding a McDonalds actually open at 4:30 a.m.! I managed to get to another Wal-Mart to get a camera for mom at a really reasonable price, but alas, sewing machines were already gone. Next year, I might get up early just to shop online and go right back to bed. But for now - I need a nap before the rest of the day happens!

Love these Friday Fragments! For more - go see Mrs.4444 @ Half-Past Kissin' Time:

Friday Fragments

} I worked out yesterday - for reals. The Turbo Jam lady told me I would be feeling it today, she was right. I was doing real good last week, I would walk the mile+ around the lake then come home and do 20 minute Turbo Jam workout. I actually love it. Then I just didn't do it for a few days - got lazy, busy, whatever. But yesterday jumped back on the wagon. Man, it was kicking my butt! But I did choose the more intense workout that time.

} I love my cats, don't get me wrong. But they are puke factories some days. I've researched and talked with other cat owners and the consensus is that when I cat does that, they're eating too fast. Kinda like a kid who stuffs himself with candy and food then gets on the wildest roller coaster he can find, then upchucks half-way through. I've tried various tricks: tennis ball in the food bowl - Maestro just grabs them, moves them out of the way, then starts playing with the ball, goes back to eat too much food, then throws up on the ball; giving them only a spoonful of food at a time - then they just gobble it up apparently thinking it will be their last meal ever then throw it back up; give them so much food it would take days to eat it all - they assume it's a feast, eat too much...you know the rest. So I've looked at auto-feeders. BUT - I have two cats - they can share a split bowl, but not the "same" bowl. Siblings, go figure. So I got creative! I took a Parmesan cheese container - with the flip-top lid - and wired it to their bowl so it will feed into both sides of their bowls in a smaller amount than a store-bought feeder. It took the boy less than 5 seconds to figure out if he moved the food from the feeder more would appear! Guys. This is just day 1 - so hopefully this will work!

} I'm singing in choir again! For the past four years I have been joining with a couple friends from church in a choral group to sing Handel's Messiah. I love it! I sing alto in this one because the notes that the sopranos have to hit would shatter glass! But every time we get to the Hallelujah Chorus it's as if the angels themselves are joining in.

} Has anyone seen this show, Tabatha's Salon Takeover? Oh my, what a lady! She hardly ever smiles, but she knows her stuff and doesn't take crap off anyone. She'll come into a flailing salon - take it over for a week - and get it back to flourishing. She takes charge of every part of it: business management, employees, customer service, marketing, and finally design on studio itself - it gets a makeover. It's kind of like Super Nanny and Extreme Home Makeover rolled into one for beauty salons. Oh, the drama! I think I just had it on while getting ready to leave for somewhere, but I think I'd like to see one all the way through!

} Been getting a lot of good out of getting up early and starting my day in the Bible. I ask God to join me in it, to show me something new, and He never fails to be there and teach me. I highly encourage everyone else to do the same.

} I've been staying pretty busy since I lost my day job back in July. I've gained a new marketing client and doing all kinds of other things. I heard a segment on the radio this morning about being purposeful - that life is permeated with purpose (Ephesians 2:10). Which fills me with encouragement. I may be busy - but I know in these things I do it's filled with God's work, and He will provide what I need in the process of doing His work.

Love these Friday Fragments! For more - go see Mrs.4444 @ Half-Past Kissin' Time:

Friday fragments

} So I'm late on writing tonight...it's barely still Friday!

} My planner is back in order - I'm up to color-coding with seven, yes count 'em, 7 colors. A different color for different categories of course. Does that mean I'm busy - yep. Getting myself back to being the me I know me to be!

} Got confirmation for starting my own business this week - one job to submit a proposal for and another to give a scope of work. And this is from simple word-of-mouth. Always ready for more business! I'd love to do a video project for someone for Christmas - those are my favorites.

} One of my churches, Greenville Christian Church, is 176 years old this year. In 1983 some members created a time capsule which we will be opening Sunday night, November 8 in a big celebration concert. All kinds of stuff will be going on that night. And since the capsule was done in the 80's - it's only appropriate to have an 80s theme in there somewhere! Still got LOTS of work to do on this, but going through the history of this church is amazing. See these faces to the right? These kids would be our "seasoned saints" today. I just wish I had names to go with these faces!

} Ok, I couldn't resist joining in the book fun! I signed-up to be a reviewer like Rebecca and Joe! I started my first book today, Max Lucado's "Fearless." I need to come up with a rating system like Rebecca has - that's cool...

} I'm missed at my old job. My friend, Sheree, and I had lunch this week. She's such an encourager anyway, but she did make me feel better about my role at my previous workplace. Just felt a little lighter this week :-) .



Have a great weekend y'all! Try to stay dry!

Love these Friday Fragments! For more - go see Mrs.4444 @ Half-Past Kissin' Time:

Or even Sara's Friday Freewrite:

Friday Fragments - on Saturday

} So what if I haven't posted in awhile? I'm posting now.

} I FINALLY finished the book, "Follow the River," by James Alexander Thom. It's this amazing real-life story of Mary Ingles who was taken captive by Shawnee indians in 1755. Her whole life was destroyed - the whole community was killed, including her mother. She, her sons & sister-in-law, and one other man were taken across the teritory hundreds of miles from home. Pregnant on the journey, she had to give up her baby, see her boys and sister taken away, and herself given into slavery. She escapes with a fellow captive and makes her way back home with no shelter, loss of tools, loss of sanity in her fellow traveler, and no food in sight for weeks. This woman had such strength and determination. I could never have done what she did. Even George Washington admitted she was more courageous than he. I love history - especially when the stories are real - and I highly recommend this one!

} Last Friday, we had visitors. I had to call and tell that to Bill specifically since Tom is wanting a dog REAL bad out "in the country." This little fella just showed up. I knew he had to be the neighbor's, and sure enough, the "babysitter" showed up a few minutes later. (for more pics - go to Thru The Lens) His name is Pistol - and that's certainly what he is! I see him and Joy (the babysitter) exploring the field across the road. I wonder if I should warn the cows.

} So I've been unemployed for a couple of months now. And no unemployment checks. I would check and the system would say I have credits - but no checks. What? How does that work? And since you can't get a live person on the phone, I went down to the office. This was the scene at 7:30 in the morning! Needless to say, the wait is the hardest part. I took a book - and my crochet project. (Rebecca, admit it - you're proud!) The guy behind the counter scared me when he disappeared inthe back for a few minutes. But when he came back he told me I would have all my checks in a couple of days! Praise the Lord - and a big "I love you!" to that guy. And let me tell you, this place can give the people of WalMart a run for their money!

} Bill went with me to take the garbage and old nasty stuff to the dump last week. We're just enjoying the afternoon - windows down on the truck - gorgeous day really. Then all of a sudden - POW! I hear this huge POP sound, Bill yells and starts beating at his back, and I instinctly slow the truck down to help pull his shirt away from his back. Turns out, this evil not-so-little hornet hit his hand, made a "bee-line" down the back of his shirt and stung him square in the back. And he was just telling me about his one-and-only other nightmare experience of going to the dump when he was a teenager. I foresee never getting help going to the dump again.


} So why have I not been posting? Have I been real busy? No. Have I been going in another life direction? No. Have I gotten lazy? Ding-ding-ding! We have a winner! Side-effect of getting used to being at home and too much facebook-game time. Time to get out of that mode! I've been praying hard for direction. Should I go into full-time ministry? Should I go back to school? Should I start my own business? Should I work two jobs? So many options...just looking for a confirmation from God on a direction at this point.

Love these Friday Fragments! For more - go see Mrs.4444 @ Half-Past Kissin' Time:

Or even Sara's Friday Freewrite:

Grace & Peace to you all!

Friday Fragments

} I am so thankful for Mrs.4444 for starting this concept of just dumping tidbits into one place so the whole thing doesn't have to make sense. It's just a perfect image of my life right now!

} This week's been kind of a blur. My days are starting to all run together. I'm now "browsing" for a job. Unemployment checks have not kicked-in yet, but I'm still ok for now.

} Had dinner last night with an older couple from our church. Bob is a Korean War Veteran, and Delva has had a lot of tragedy in her life. but to get to spend a few hours with them, sharing stories and life was just priceless. Bob is actually Delva's 2nd hubby. Her first died young of a massive heart attack. And after hearing about her own tragic childhood, family cancer stories, then that - I didn't know what to say! I stumbled out, "Well, now you have Bob!" Her reply? "Oh, I didn't like him to begin with." Oh man, the story that ensued. Poor Bob! But he didn't give up and now they've been married 20+ years. Everyone has a story unfolding.

} Ok, ok...I've finally gotten on-board! I'm using my own grocery bags instead of plastic! I've been influenced by friends over the years, and I've been recycling everything I can for months now. Well, I finally made the leap today. I bought my first two bags - insulated even! I never imagined those bags would hold so much. And I even tested them out - I made two other stops before heading home, and my ice cream wasn't all melted! Now if I will just remember to take them with me when I get groceries!

} It's finally happening! We're having a concert celebration at Greenville Christian Church to celebrate the church's 175th anniversary...just a year late. There's a time capsule that will be opened and history to be told, but the overall theme of the night? Wait for it........The 80s! Since the time capsule was closed 26 years ago - 1983 - that makes for a night filled with plenty of fun material to have a concert with! Not only that, but it will be interactive. All I can say right now is - check your closet for your best 80s attire!

} The new season of shows is almost here! YipppEEEE!!! I only get 5 channels (8 if you count the 2 weather channels and one old B-movie station), so my options are limited. Plus, I need a really good excuse to be crocheting/knitting more!

Love these Friday Fragments! For more - go see Mrs.4444 @ Half-Past Kissin' Time:

Or even Sara's Friday Freewrite:

Grace & Peace to you all!