We have a winner

Congratulations to Russell for knowing that the movie I really wanted to watch was Ratatouille! A fabulous prize will be on the way soon.

Hopefully the rental store will have it back in stock tomorrow.

That is all. I'm tired.

Going up and down the ladder to paint (and then clean paint splatters off the ceiling) wore me out today. Oh, it's fun getting old! lol

Look What I Can Do...part 2

Yesterday I had a pretty good "Look what I can do moment". I wanted to put together my new home theater system. (Now before you go off worrying that I am wasting lots of money, let me say that it was 75% off as a WalMart deal of the day before Christmas, and was cheaper than buying just a dvd player which is what I needed and was actually shopping for.)

This is the page of directions I had to work with:





Yup, just a little black and white drawing with a bunch of connection lines. The first 5 pages of the instruction book were how to put batteries in the remote and not electrocute yourself and other fun stuff like that.



Now I am somewhat of a technically challenged person. As I unpacked the box and noticed the big bag of wires I got a bit scared and my 1st thought was "maybe I'll let Paul do this for me". Then I decided to at least TRY it. How hard could it be, right? It was actually not that hard at all. My only big mistake was to do it in the middle of my the living room floor. Then I had to UNdo it and REdo it in the tv stand - so all the cords and such were hidden through the handy holes in the back of the unit. By the way, I assembled that tv stand myself last week!

Tonight seemed like a great time to "christen" the new set up and I went to rent one of my favorite movies. It was not available at the store. Dang it! So I got Over the Hedge instead. Still good for a laugh.

Has anyone has made it through both blogs today and can guess which movie I really wanted? There's a really good prize for everyone who guesses correctly by midnight tomorrow. To be fair, email the answer to me instead of posting it.

Only 1 guess per person so make it a good one : )

Look What I Can Do...part 1

I started this as yesterday's post but put it on hold to gather my thoughts a bit better!


Does anyone remember the show MadTV? I used to really like watching the segments with Stewart. He was a "special boy" and always announced his "abilities" with the phrase 'Look what I can do'.

Here's a best of Stewart compilation for when you need a few laughs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l5etjhNyUI&feature=related

Lately I have been feeling like Stewart. I have to say I am very spoiled to work with people who are almost always willing to do almost anything to help me out - whether I want that help or not! I'm very grateful for all they do, but I have been purposeful to try not to take advantage of that generosity. This has left me with the exciting challenge of trying to do things for myself. When I do accomplish a goal or finish a project I give a little celebratory "look what I can do" cheer. To myself. And when other people comment or compliment on something I have done I find myself being quick to say "I did that" or "I made them" or "yup, that's my good work right there". Which I think is ok. Sometimes.

Where do we draw the fine lines between exessive humility, accepting praise gracefully, and being boastful? After all, God has given each one of us a unique set of skills and talents and we better be using them! It's also our responsibility to be encouraging one another and building them up.

How have you been blessed by someone lately?
How can you use your gifts to be a blessing to someone else?

Just say NO

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “NO” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:11-12

That sounds like a good goal for the New Year!
If only we could figure out a way to make it easy to do...


I have been keeping up with my picture a day. These are ones I took yesterday. Bozeman is a very (excessively) dog friendly town. I pulled into a parking spot and noticed this big dog in the driver's seat. It was kind of odd because at first glance it looked like he could have been driving.

Apparently he did not like having his picture taken because he started barking right at me, which woke up his little friend on the dashboard and caused him to start yapping at me too.

Lesson learned: Don't park near dogs.

The Day After...

It's January 2nd. How many of you have already "broken your resolutions"?

There's a fun song by Christian artist Carolyn Arends called New Year's Day. I tried really hard for a long time to figure out how to link it to here with a playlist or through itunes or something (since there's no YouTube video) but I could not do it. So much for my goal of always finishing what I start! Anyways, here are the lyrics so you have an idea of what I'm talking about:

I buy a lot of diaries
Fill them full of good intentions
Each and every New Year's Eve
I make myself a list
All the things I'm gonna change
Until January 2nd
So this time I'm making one promise

CHORUS:
This will be my resolution
Every day is New Year's Day
This will be my resolution
Every day is New Year's Day

I believe it's possible
I believe in new beginnings
'Cause I believe in Christmas Day
And Easter morning too

And I believe it's doable
'Cause I believe in second chances
Just the way that I believe in You

This will be my resolution
Every day is New Year's Day
This could start a revolution
Every day is...

One more chance to start all over
One more chance to change and grow
One more chance to grab ahold of grace
And never let it go

Lamentations 3:22 -23 says
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

Each day we should resolve to do our best for God. No matter how much we think we let Him down, He is always there to pick us up and help us start again. He wants His best for you! Will you let Him give it to you?

Happy New Year!

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given me a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

My ideas for 2011:
Overcome some fears
Use my power well (NOT to take over the world)
Be loving
Use good judgement

Every Day I want to:
read
pray
laugh
go for a walk
take a picture
learn something new
finish what I start
spend less
share more

I invite you to join me on this journey!

Root Beer Crunch

Here's a fun recipe from the book Popcorn Cookery: 200 new ways to enjoy popcorn.

Yes, it's true that I don't like popcorn but this is actually pretty good. It's similar to caramel corn but with a richer flavor. I suppose you could switch in different sodas and nuts to vary the taste. Let me know if you do that. Would love to hear your combinations.

ROOT BEER CRUNCH

10 cups fresh popped popcorn (the original recipe called for 8 but I think it makes enough "sauce" to coat more than that - use your judgement)

1 cup salted pecans

1 (12 oz) bottle root beer

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup softened butter (1 stick)

1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 250

Combine popcorn and pecans in a deep pan (buttered or coated with cooking spray)

Keep popcorn warm in the oven

Butter (or spray) a large cookie sheet, set aside

Pour root beer slowly into a large saucepan

Add sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt

Stir gently, but well

Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar melts

Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 250 (use a digital thermometer to keep track of the temp. If it does not get hot enough, it will not work. Trust me. I failed at this my 1st time because of that)

Remove popcorn and pecans from oven

Pour syrup mixture over popcorn and pecans (remember it is HOT so be very careful)

Mix well until all popcorn is coated

Spread popcorn on buttered cookie sheet

Cool Completely

Break into pieces to serve