Gladiator: American Style

This was sent to me by a good 2X retired military guy~ A moving salute to America's finest.


Click on the link below to view Gladiator: American Style http://objflicks.com/GladiatorAmericanStyle.htm

Life is too short; eat dessert first!

Hey there - I know, it's the middle of the day but 1/2 my clients cancelled & I'm supposed to be using this time to write reports...as always. On my way back home, I stopped to buy some fruit at Walts - good old Walts food store. While I was waiting to have my garlic & peaches weighed, a grandma came up with her Brach's candy - you know the "serve yourself" Brachs. I was reminded of my mom. She loved Brachs nutgoodies. With that fond memory, I bought some. I don't particulary love nut goodies, but it made me feel somehow connected to my mom. The smell is what brings back those memories - the sweet maple-y aroma of those caramel colored candies. So on the way home I was thinking about other things that make me feel close or connected to mom. Here's the start of my list:
 singing to my Gracie
 song "Jesus Loves Me" – see previous post
 homemade ice cream
 tops that tie on the shoulder
 cooking to share
 sweet iced tea
 toaster strudels – she lived on those the past 5 years
 chicken & dumplins
 Everybody Loves Raymond (except Russ)
 peach & blackberry cobblers
 chocolate chip cookies
 grilling out - especially barbecue ribs
 nut goodies
 smell of honeysuckle
 cherries
 inboard/outboard motor boats & water skiing
 water play – be it lake, beach, pond or pool
 crabapple trees
 rosebushes – growing flowers
 Dollywood
 Celine Dion & Shania Twain
 Avon
 Skin So Soft
 the words "Fantastic" & "Wonderful" gleefully exclaimed while clapping your hands together
 loving on Gracie
 pretty fingernailes – painting Gracie's nails
 homemade cinnamon rolls
 the Twist – dance
 Reader's Digest
 Thrift stores
 Yard sales
 Princess Diana
 old hymns like Old Rugged Cross, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
 getting Gracie's pictures professionally taken
 the horses back home
 back home....
 Christmas
~picking strawberries or blackberries
~getting my hair brushed
~cookie exchanges
My sister added:
*Texas Fudge Cake
*Fudge with nuts(w/o nuts for the youngest)
*homemade biscuits and gravy
*mashed potatoe soup*homemade jelly and jam (strawberry)
I forgot...we must add her chocolate rolls & chocolate gravy~ YUM!

Ok - this is a start & I may add to this from time to time. If you knew my mom, feel free to add in the comments section. :o)

We live. We love. We forgive & never give up...

Congrats to Tracy & David!!! They closed on their new house. Moved back to Missouri! Yeahhhh - St Louis is much closer than Kansas City, though I'll really miss Strouther's. I love that restaurant but I love Tracy more...

This Haddon & Merideth - nephew & niece.
More sibling stuff.....

Enjoyed a visit with my brother George as he was working on some business deals here in Chicagoland. He designs & manufactures custom auto display unit thingys. The most recent project was this rotating truck - like on a skewer or spit, with part of it cutaway for teaching purposes. I think it was for NASCAR or something like that. Anyway, just wayyyy cool & I'm proud of him & his work. Check out this rotating truck - http://www.ironmountaincustomdisplays.com/mainimages/flashvid/05.Vid/toyota.side.video.htm
Anyway, so Uncle George enjoyed a home cooked meal for a change - just something I threw together since he doesn't plan a visit - just calls a couple of hours before he's coming. AND Gracie enjoyed some very rough & tumble play...I couldn't watch but she was having a BLAST so the giggles meant it was all good. Then to calm her down before bedtime, George read her some of her favorite "going to bed" books. See below- Lovely, lovely book "Time for Bed" by Mern Fox with lovely illustrations by Jane Dyer. A must for every wee one's library. :o)
Enjoy the day, folks.

Oh, the places we will go~

This is really cool! Map out where you've been - either by state or country. Wow! I must dust off my traveling shoes & find some comfy go-shoes for Grace. The world is indeed waiting~
create your own visited countries map
check out these Google Hacks.

Hey~ speaking of a waiting world...I saw a picture today of a new orphanage CLC is sponsoring in Guatemala. AWESOME! I feel a family missions trip coming in the next couple of years. Guatemala was my first official missions trip & what a beautiful place! Might as well get some stamps in that girl's passport! Actually, this orphanage -I'll share details when I have more or remember more - it's almost 3 AM...but, the idea behind this is an outreach & missions trip/work that CLC families can dive into! So exciting...that passion portion of my heart is ready. I really believe Grace's feet will go even further as she takes the gospel in a practical method to her world. Hmmm...this is feeling a bit prophetic. Someone already shared a dream of a harvest hearted Grace that confirmed in my spirit that she would be a missionary. Can't wait to see what God has in mind....

Speaking of going... we went to Brookfield Zoo with our friend, Lisa, this weekend. Had a great time for sure sure. Not too hot & no crowd. Used the library pass, so free admission. Found a coupon for free parking & complimentary carousel ride! Can't beat that deal!
Gracie got some new froggy slippers from Amy & Michaela. This in light of her delightful caterpillar & frog story she loves to tell lately. If you haven't heard it, be sure to ask Grace. She'll be happy to share & show you about watching that caterpillar walk, walk, walk & that frog went "slipt" & ate that caterpillar right up! FYI....that's the translation...just in case you don't catch it all. :o) Ok - it's bedtime for sure~ Night all

Sing Sweet Nightingale

I must share this cutie patooty princess anecdote~

Grace has enjoyed watching Cinderella the last few days. Yesterday afternoon, she was "cooking" in her little microwave; stirring, stirring, stirring. All the while she was singing "Sing sweet nightingale. Sing sweet nightingale~ hiiigh above me" She even sang a decent scale on the "hiiiigh" part. It was lovely & one of those "I wish I had recorded that" moments.

Cinderella Trivia (1950)
In both Cinderella (1950) and Sleeping Beauty (1959), the main character's friends surprise her with a new dress, calling out "Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! Happy birthday!"

• Not only is the name of the prince never revealed, he is nowhere in the film mentioned as "Prince Charming".
• Ilene Woods beat exactly 309 girls for the part of Cinderella, after some demo recordings of her singing a few of the film's songs were presented to Walt Disney. However, she had no idea she was auditioning for the part until Disney contacted her; she initially made the recordings for a few friends who sent them to Disney without telling her.
• Lucifer was modeled after animator Ward Kimball's cat. Animators were having trouble coming up with a good design for that cat, but once Walt Disney saw Kimball's furry calico, he declared, "There's your Lucifer."
• When Cinderella is singing "Sing, sweet nightengale", three bubbles form the head and ears of Mickey Mouse.
• The royal proclamation on the castle gate wall reads: " All loyal subjects of his Imperial Majesty are hereby notified by royal proclamation that in regard to a certain glass slipper, it is upon this day decreed that a quest be instituted throughout the length and breadth of our domain. The sole and express purpose of said quest is as follows to wit: That every single maiden in our beloved Kingdom shall try upon her foot this aforementioned slipper of glass, and should one be found whose foot shall properly fit said slipper, such maiden will be acclaimed the subject of this search and the one and only true love of his Royal Highness, our noble Prince. And said Royal Highness will humbly request the hand of said maiden in marriage to rule with him over all the Land as Royal Princess and future Queen."
• According to Ilene Woods, who did the voice for Cinderella, it was Walt Disney who suggested the layered harmonies in the "Sweet, Sweet Nightengale" sequence. She thinks that it might have been the first time that it was attempted.
• According to Marc Davis, one of the directing animators of Cinderella, at least 90% of the movie was done in live action model before animation.
• Cinderella was the first Disney film to have its songs published and copyrighted by the newly created Walt Disney Music Company. Before movie soundtracks became merchandisable, movie songs had little residual value to the film studio that owned them and were often sold off to established music companies for sheet music publication.
• The transformation of Cinderella's torn dress to that of the white ball gown was considered to be Walt Disney's favorite piece of animation.
• Walt Disney had not had a huge hit since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). The production of this film was regarded as a major gamble on his part. At a cost of nearly $3,000,000, Disney insiders claimed that if this movie had failed at the box office, it would have been the end of the Disney studio. The film was a big hit. The profits from its release, with the additional profits from record sales, music publishing, publications and other merchandise gave Disney the cash flow to finance a slate of productions (animated and live action), establish his own distribution company, enter television production and begin building Disneyland during the decade.

Movie Goofs

• When Cinderella is getting dressed in the morning she pulls the hair ribbon around all of her hair. In the next shot it is tied only around half.
• Cinderella's bed sheet has patches, but when the birds fold it, the patches are gone.
• During the ball, the Duke's monocle gets broken during an argument with the King and he looks through the broken monocle at the King as the King leaves. When the Duke goes down to keep and eye on the Prince and Cinderella and, as he closes the curtain on the snooping Stepmother, his monocle is whole again.
• When Cinderella and the Prince are getting married, Cinderella wears a long-sleeved wedding gown. Afterwards, when we see them through the back window of the carriage, her gown has puffed sleeves.

You will find more Cinderella trivia at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042332/

Tons of Fun

Still catching up....Grace had a great time at Papa's house petting the kitties, riding the horses & the 4 wheeler. She loves to sit up on the tractor & drive, drive, drive. She learned that you must keep your hand open to feed the horse, hold the mane while you're riding the horse & sweet feed is only for horses. :o)
We had a yummy visit with Papa George & Grandma Robin! We love the haircut & hope/praying you both are feeling LOTS better!

Going to Missouri is always a nice time to visit treasured friends. We swam with Kelly (praying your smiling again soon) & Kaeley; played dress up & ate lots of snacks with Macy & Lexi; toted puppies around at our cousin's birthday party; laughed at Aunt Jean's house but did NOT play the crabby cat who lives there; got lots of hugs & treats at cousin Bobby/Angie's house; went to church with cousin Kelly and finally, played ourselves silly at Aunt Tracy's house with Haddon & Merideth!

Whew...that's a ton of fun!

Tip for the day: to remove crayon swirls from the wall, heat with hair dryer & wipe off with all purpose cleaner. Yep - some summer fun is not play at all. :o)

Summertime fun & catching up!

This is our neighbor's flower garden. We took over some cookies for Doris & Tim, chased their kitties around & then Gracie & Doris picked some flowers. Wish I could say they graced our home for several days, but Gracie was so excited she shook them limp running around the yard chasing more kitties.

On a bittersweet note, our Nate & Stephanie friends have moved to the city -just 20 minutes away, but those day to day interactions, romps in the sprinkler, shared grilling, last minute baby sitting breaks & fashion consulting will be sorely missed. Nate is priming for a position with the Chicago Fire Department, thus they must live in Chicago. Congratulations! AND in case I haven't mentioned it, baby Emily is finally here...too cute for sure!

Summer classes are over & I am breathing before the Fall term starts in a couple of weeks. A's in both classes & I learn a bunch as well. No Nazi professors in this last bunch. Thank God!

After our RR 'O6, we spent some time with the Speaks family in Robertsville, MO. I had my Saturn detailed in order to survive the Mr Speaks' scutiny. And sure enough, if I hadn't run over their dog - literally, ran right over the top of her with my car, not the tires...the Saturn would have looked pretty good. I can't believe it! I've hidden my dog fear so Grace wouldn't be afraid & now look what happens! The dog was fine - a bit of oil in her fur from my car, but that Westie was FINE! But don't you know Mr. Speaks gave a praise report in front of the entire Cedar Grove Methodist church that morning because the Westie survived being run over "Thanks be to God!" I went to church with them that morning, but was out with Grace during the testimony service. Can you imagine how I felt after the service? Folks stared HOLES right through me! I had to serve myself the snack in the after church social time. The humiliation!! We are indeed thankful the dog is ok, but now everyone in the Speaks' circle knows my name & is watching for my sparkling Saturn.

Once the dog trauma subsided, Grace & I enjoyed the pool with Amy & Michaela. We really had a great time...very relaxing. Of course, we got out of the pool before the bats swooped in for their nightly sip of delicious chlorinated beverage. :o)

Amy's such a delightful hostess & Michaela is a treasure, particulary for playing with my Gracie & keeping her entertained while I caught up with my 1st non-monster roomate from SEMO University. What a time we had...

Thanks Amy, Mike & Michaela. It was a great time - always a great time! I sure am sorry about Trixie....I wonder if you are still talking about it. At least it takes the heat off of Amy for running over Mike. :o) We love you! PS - thanks for mailing that report for me!

Put it Down - from picturesfromheaven.com

Hey ya'll! I'm posting a "Picture from Heaven" borrowed from my pastor's blog
http://www.picturesfromheaven.com/ It's definitely worth sharing & worth applying~

Picture…a man carrying a heavy load. He can barely hang on to it with both hands it is so heavy. His shoulders are bent; his walk is little more than a shuffle. He knows that he is reaching his limit of endurance when someone walks up to him with a beautifully wrapped package. He shakes his head in despair, knowing that there is no way that he can reach out to receive the gift.

Hear…the Lord say, “The only way to receive the gifts that I want to give you is for you to put down the heavy load that you are carrying. I never intended for you to carry it. Others gave it to you, and you thought it was your duty to carry. But you are mistaken. It belongs to me. Let it go and reach out for those things that I do want to give you, wonderful gifts that will straighten your back and put a spring back in your step. I won’t take it from you. You must willingly, and cheerfully put it down at my feet.”Consider: I lift weights as a part of my “work out” regiment,” but I am still not all that strong. It might have something to do with the fact that I’m a 50 something year old woman, or it could be that I waited until I was nearly 50 to start exercising. Whatever the reason, I really can’t carry very much. That is…I can’t carry much in the “physical” realm. I can carry a lot of burdens on my shoulders. What about you? Do you have the ability to carry stuff around with you? Do you carry burdens for your children, spouse, parents or friends? Do you carry around burdens from past hurts that limit what you can be and do for God? I’m not accusing…I’m just asking. I know that I have a tendency to carry heavy loads with me. I usually don’t recognize it as a burden at first, but when I start to notice:
That I don’t have a spring in my step anymore…
That I’m tired all of the time…
That my laugh has no real ring of joy to it …
That I’ve worried through an entire stop light…

Then I know that it is burden-casting time. Are you able to recognize the symptoms in your own life? What does burden carrying look like in you? Are you carrying burdens right now? You have to decide what type of lifestyle you want to live, one that is filled with duty and grim determination or one of joy and peace. It’s your choice, not the people and circumstances surrounding you. Determine today that you are not going to carry heavy weights around with you. Lay them down at Jesus feet. When you are finally empty handed, you will be able to receive what God is offering to you today; freedom from sickness, pain of the past, weariness, the controlling behaviors of others, guilt, addictions and worries. The precious blood of our Lord has already paid for this freedom. It is yours to take, once you empty your hands.

Pray: “Jesus, I’m tired of walking around with all of these heavy burdens. I recognize that these are not mine to bear. I refuse to carry this weight of responsibility that causes sleepless nights. I refuse to worry about my loved ones any longer. I refuse to carry the pain from wounds inflicted by the things people have said or done in the past. The hurts that dictated who I was going to be and what I was going to do will limit me no longer. I forgive those who have harmed me. I let go of this pain. I choose to exchange my heavy burdens for Your own. I know that you want me to live a life of victory, and freedom. I receive it right now in Jesus name, Amen. ”

Celebrate Freedom!

Hey there - I'm so far behind in posting! Got lots of pics to share from the Independence Day happenings! Wow - did lots happen! Reminded me of my DBG (days before Grace) when I was crazy busy with a very full social calendar~ What fun! AND now that I'm sitting here ready to go to bed but really wanting to get these pics up...I can't remember what all we did that weekend. Wait...it'll come to me...Friday, the VanWhye's came--Great Time! Saturday - drawing a blank but I know we did something~ oh well. Weeks later....yes, indeed Grace & I went to see CARS. I loved it & Grace loved checking out the neighboring viewer's snacks. :o)

Sunday - After a very Patriotic celebration at CLC...we had a GREAT time at Randy & Emily's place with Laurie, Bob, Larry & Amanda. Finally indulged UR in some home made butter pecan ice cream after his incessant whining how I make it for everyone else but him...blah, blah, blah (you know I love you). I don't have any pics from that get together but I must share this birthday pic that I just got back of Gracie & UR. Too cute!

Monday - Millenium Park & TASTE of CHICAGO & FIREWORKS- well, much more than a taste! Despite the rain, we managed to make it downtown to sunny skies & a smiling Uncle Bob ready for a splash in Millenium Park - our 1st time! Isn't that BEAN cool???












After several tastes (favorite was deep fried banana bites) & a ride down the white water mountain, we headed back to the Uncle Bob park, playing ourselves silly. Enjoyed a little snack at UB's place & then crawled down Lake Shore Drive for a splendid view of the Macy's fireworks display. What a day~

4th of July - lots of fun at the Beecher carnival & parade with Nate/Steph & her folks. Grace rode lots of kiddie rides & we chowed on cotton candy & funnel cakes - you know, stuff you only eat at the fair. Back to Steph's folks house for a barbeque & some sprinkler play. Whoo hooo - Thanks Mark & Maureen for a great time! The ducky bath fizzies & beachy stickers were a hit~ You are the new favorite friends for sure!

So that 'bout sums it up~ Busy & blessed! I leave with the words & hopefully a link to my new favorite worship freedom song... I AM FREE -by the Newsboys but wonderfully sang by the CLC worship team. Here it is: Newsboys - I Am Free from the album I Am Free http://pageman.multiply.com/music download it if you haven't heard it before

Through you the blind will see

Through you the mute will sing

Through you the dead will rise

Through you our hearts will praise

Through you the darkness flees

Through you my heart screams I am free

I am freeChorus: (2x’s)

I am free to run(I am free to run)

I am free to dance(I am free to dance)

I am free to live for you(I am free to live for you)

I am free(I am free)Yes, I am free(I am free)

Through you the blind will see

Through you the mute will sing

Through you the dead will rise

Through you our hearts will praiseT

hrough you the darkness flees

Through you my heart screams

I am free I am free

Are you free? I am freeChorus: (2x’s)

Re-CONNECTED

What a week - trying to get back into our routine after a week of company & two weeks of alternate child care while our Auntie Jeanette was cultivating the harvest in Peru. It's an exciting time for me considering the re-connections I've made this past month. I've enjoyed the company of my friend, Tina (& family), TWICE in one week...very NICE!

My college roommates are kicking up the dust at Jellystone Park in Eureka Missouri in a few weeks~Our first roomie reunion with all FIVE of us since...wow...how long?? 1997 or 98?? I can still remember the human pyramid right there in the middle of Val's living room! GAD~ We are so excited - to quote one of the roomies "I could just Pee!" Of course, I can't be that close to Robertsville & not see my very first non-monster college roomie- AMY! Don't you know I'll be sparkling up the Saturn for the Mr. Speakes inspection? No doubt Amy will have a list of job openings in the surrounding school districts & a couple of potential homes to check out while I'm there. Tempting...

Just thanking God recently for re-connecting with my old friend, Lauri - I've missed you & I'm really glad God restores in His own time - it's always just the right time~ Thanks for loving on Gracie the past couple of weeks. Thanks to Caitlyn & Elizabeth for sharing your toys! We'll keep working on returning the favor. :o)

It's interesting the things that bring re-connection. I got an email this week about a musician that used to play with the Servants of Praise.Paul was hospitalized for pneumonia & then decided to have some heart surgery while he was there. Paul is from Jamaica - HOW do you spell that...regardless, he's far from his family. Now, I've been in the hospital while the ocean separated me from my friends & family- that is NOOOOO fun! It's time to re-connect with that guy! Gracie is ready - we've spent our fair share of time in a hospital -so much so, it's a regular part of her pretend play. "Gracie, where are you going in those high heels & cutie purse?" More often than not, she's "goin' to the hospital." Goin' to see someone we love...so here we come, Paul! AND if we could, Tommy - we'd be strollering up to your room as well! Take good care way out there in California! We're praying for you~

One of my favorite scriptures is found in Ecclesiates chap 4, beginning w/vs 7:

The Advantages of Companionship
7 I observed yet another example of meaninglessness in our world. 8 This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, "Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?" It is all so meaningless and depressing.
9 Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. 11 And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Let's face it - we need each other! God described the church - not the building but the people inside - as the BODY of Christ; each with our own place & role to fill. Doesn't matter how good or strong of a pinky finger I may be, if I am not CONNECTED to the other four digits...I am likely to shrivel up, unable to function properly if function at all. I'm no good to anyone, without the rest of the BODY. This, folks, is from personal experience. When you are out there, lone rangering - whether you meant to be there or not - you're in danger without the warmth or strength of companionship that will hold you accountable or help you when you fall or mount a defense beside you.

We work better together says the Creator. Remember, He fashioned us out of a heartfelt desire for companionship Himself. I believe He KNOWS lonely! I remind Him often that it was His idea that I should have a companion & thank God for my true blue friends, but ya'll know what I mean! No, that's a another blog & besides, I have very Grace FULL days as it is. But, we do need fellowship & it usually takes some effort in this busy world we live in with kids to raise, businesses to run, playgrounds to build, blogs to write, grants to write, reports to type...if you have friends, it's on purpose.

So reach out & touch someone. Re-connect with an old friend, make a new one or BOTH! Make some ice cream, grill a burger, borrow a back yard for a get together or visit the hospital. No high heels required but ya better bring your smile. ~:o)

PS~ The photos above: I had to take a picture of Gracie sleeping this morning sunny side up! & there's Gracie snuggling on baby Emily's quilt I made. :o)

PSS: Gracie said her first spontaneouslGerman words last week. As we were going inside for the evening, Gracie called "Bis Morgen" to the neighbors, meaning "until tomorrow". Too coooooool!