What Say You?

Howdy everyone!

We had a great day today watching the Saints beat the Colts, hanging out with Reva, Rick and Mike and Lexi (Rick's son and girlfriend), watching the Saints beat the Colts, eating nachos, wings and a plethora of other delectable yumminess and watching the Saints beat the Colts.

I'm a Denver Bronco and Arizona Cardinal fan myself. But since neither of them made it to the Super Bowl, I had to pick which team to root for. And since the Saints were the underdogs that's who I chose. I like games that keep me on the edge of my seat with a loud SCREAM thrown in now and then. And I.can.SCREAM! (Just ask Chels, my oldest daughter. She's still recovering from the screams I let out last year when the Cardinals played in the Super Bowl.)

Now to the topic of this post. I wanted to just throw out some random questions for you all to answer in your comments if you'd like to. Anyone up for that? Ok, here goes.

1. What is your all-time, absolutely favorite color?
Mine has always been yellow. I don't decorate with it or anything. I do look good in yellow. It's just a fun, sunshiny color that brightens my day.

2. Do you like to go thrifting? You know...yard sales, thrift stores, flea markets?
Big fat YES for me! And now that we are in Colo. Spgs. the opportunities are endless. Lovin' it!

3. If so, what is the one thing that you enjoy looking for when you're thrifting? Something you collect? or clothes? things you can turn from trash to treasure?
I enjoy finding something I can transform. There's nothing that a can of spray paint can't fix, I say. I've also been collecting the American Girl books for Grace. Sometimes I find one or two and sometimes not. But yesterday I SCORED! There on top of the children's bookshelves was a stack of 10 that she didn't have. Plus they were half off. $60 value for $7.50!

4. Who were you rooting for in the Super Bowl?

5. Milk Chocolate? Dark Chocolate? White Chocolate? or all of the above?
Dark for me. And I'm out. :(

And on that sad note...Happy week to ya!

;)

It's All I Need Chocolate Good!

Question Answered...I think

Hello Friends!

I think I accidentally came upon the answer to my own question (previous post). Found it on Facebook sign-in page. At the bottom it had a list of the different languages and Lo and Behold there were those tiny little rectangles. It represents the different Chinese dialects.

I went back to Blogger Help and typed in Chinese.
Only one forum answer came up: Chinese Porn Spam

Pai an jiao jue' (literal meaning: slap the table and shout with praise, wonderful)

Yep. That's what I say. Won.der.ful.

For now, I've put up the 'word verification', and that's seemed to stop them. So you all are going to have to do the 'letter thing'.

Until I find out more, that's the sha'o zi (scoop)!

It's All e' chang Good! (Have a beautiful, bright day!...or something like that!)

Question

I just thought I'd throw out this technical question and see if any of you have had the same problem and know how to fix it.

I moderate my comments. For the last week I've been getting a 'comment' that just shows little rectangles in place of words. Same for the 'commentor' name. I just delete it, but has anyone else had this happen?

It's All Computer Illiterate Good!

A big thank you to all of you who helped me get out of the blogging rut I was in! You definitely got the juices flowing again.

Here's a list of the You Asked Posts if you would like to read any you missed.

Jessica Asked - Jobs

Amber Asked - Home education

Memaw Asked - Prayer

Jennifer Asked - Parenting

Patty and Maxine Asked - Entertainment

Diane Asked - Stranded on a desert island

Linda Asked - Upcoming move to Colorado

Brenda (the other one!) Asked - Pastoring

I'm always open for questions. So fire away whenever you have one!

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(Reva, I'm working on the bear story ;)

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It's All You Asked Good!

Follow up on Brenda Asked

I wanted to give a follow-up on my previous You Asked post about our experience as pastors by letting you know the good that came out of it all.

Like I said before, we are closer now to the Lord than we ever have been.
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We are closer now to our families. (Many regrets, but thankfully forgiven!)

We have great friends, some who have made it through with us and some who have chosen to still be our friends in spite of it all! This includes my best friend from the beginning.

We've learned that it's ok to ask questions when things coming over the pulpit just don't set right, after personal prayer and studying and when asked with a 'clean and pure heart' and not of one who enjoys stirring up trouble.

If the questions we have asked are not answered, but rather are received with an 'How dare you question the authority of headship' attitude, we've learned that it just might be time to move on quietly and graciously. And when asked why, letting the Lord speak thru us so as to not cause strife and division in the church.

We've learned quite unfortunately that you'll quickly find out who your true friends are!

We've realized that our friendships are not determined by what church we go to. Like my good friend said to me, "I didn't become your friend just because I met you in church, I became your friend because of you". That speaks volumes to me.

Our oldest daughter has come out unscathed and has found her place of worship in the Body of Christ.

Neither of our daughters will ever have to go through what we did.

I'm so grateful to all of you I've met in Blogland who, though you may not even know it, have helped me through a tough year of healing and forgiveness. You've helped me define and realize all over again who exactly I am in Christ. I've realized the Body of Christ (those who profess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and through His sacrifice for our sins on the cross salvation is freely given) is beautiful and marvelous--WE are the Body of Christ. You've extended friendship to me 'sight unseen' at a time when I needed friends the most.

I'm not opening this one up for comments, just wanted you all to know that...

It's All Good!

Brenda (the other one!) Asked

This question is from Brenda (the other one!):

I think you commented on one of my posts recently that you and your hubby had pastored before. I'd like to know more about that.

Ok, Brenda, first off I admire those, like you and your husband, who feel they have a true calling to be pastors. It's a hard but rewarding job, I'm sure you'll agree. It just wasn't for us.

Bear in mind that this is strictly our experience and will be coming from the 'been there-done that' perspective. Hindsight. But there is a happy ending!

Yes, we pastored two churches in the late 80's-early 90's. One in Wichita Falls, TX, and the other in Sunny's hometown of Fowler, CO.

The reason I say 'been there-done that' is because, in hindsight, we have seen things from the outside looking in, as well as realizing that Sunny just wasn't called to be a pastor.

In the 80's we were involved in a 'fellowship' that heavily emphasized, and still does to this day, church planting. Of course, the headship all had the vision of 'reaching the world for Jesus'. And they were successful in that they had tons of churches all over the U.S. and many other countries. Unfortunately, there were many couples who felt they were 'called' because they were emotionally moved by a pastor with lots of charisma who's goal was to plant as many churches as he could to make his church look good, and so he could climb the 'corporate ladder' and make a name for himself. Consequently, many people were sacrificed on the alter of the Pastor's ego in the process.

(Please understand that not every pastor in this 'fellowship' fits this description. Many did really have a heart to see people come to the Lord. This is just our experience as a whole.)

As long as you were doing his bidding (in the name of submission) you were always in his good graces, and he would groom you to someday pastor your own church. The biggest mantra for these church planter's was, "We send the very best". If you disagreed or voiced an opinion that didn't flow with his (and didn't back down) you were considered in rebellion and bullied from the pulpit if not face-to-face.

Unfortunately, we succumbed to being emotionally moved and eventually rose up to the top--cream of the crop--and were sent out to start our own church. Yes, we chose to go. After pastoring for several years and two churches later, we realized thru much prayer that this wasn't what we were called to do.

Eventually our eyes were opened to the truth and many of us left the 'fellowship'.

15 years ago we were invited to become the Administrator for a church here in Flagstaff. Everything was hunky-dory for several years. We were excited in this church, because the teaching emphasized developing our own personal relationship with the Lord through the Word and prayer. Unfortunately a few ago years, the 'red flags' of control and manipulative tendencies began to rise. Thankfully, this time we were able to see what was beginning to happen all over again. We thought we could just ride it out. Certainly it wouldn't swing back in that direction, but it did and after much prayer, we decided to graciously say Adios.

The good news is that we haven't 'thrown out the baby with the bathwater'. We are closer in our walk with the Lord today than we've ever been. We are part of a marvelous Body of Christ. We just want to be in His will.

The biggest lesson learned: Study the Word. Unfortunately, just because it comes over the pulpit doesn't mean it's gospel--no offense to your pastor husband. Read the Word in context. So many times we just pull out a verse and 'claim' it for whatever suits the need at the time, when if it was read in context it would mean something entirely different. A Greek/Hebrew dictionary is a great and effective tool.

I know, Brenda, that this probably isn't the answer you might've been expecting. I do wish you and your husband the Lord's best as you continue to fulfill your calling as pastors.

It's All Baby Still in the Tub Good!

Linda Asked

This question is from Linda:

I'm interested in your upcoming move to Colorado. Maybe you could talk about it and why you've decided to move back there. Is Colorado where you're from originally?


Well, we're shooting for the fall, Lord willing, to make our move back to Colorado.

Both Sunny and I were born and raised in Colorado. Sunny grew up in Fowler (pop. 1200), and I grew up 30 west, in Pueblo.

About a year ago we felt it was what we both wanted and needed to do. A lot of my family live there, and Sunny's mom still lives in their hometown. His mom is 80. She is doing well, but we felt we needed to be closer.

I have my sister, Reva, whom many of you have 'met' and her daughter, Amber, as well as another brother there in Colorado Springs. My dad, my mom, and another brother live within an hour or so. (3 other brothers live out-of-state). Also, my best friend lives in the Denver area.

Business-wise with the real estate business the way it has been, we feel there will be more opportunities to take advantage of in Colo. Springs.

The Springs is a beautiful city. Ever since I was a little girl I thought it would be neat to live there. Looks like it's going to happen!

The only thing that makes it really hard is that my daughter, Chels, will be staying here. I'm just thankful for today's technology that makes it so easy for us to communicate. Without that, I'd probably be a basket case.

Brenda (the other one!) Asked is next!

It's All We'll Get There Good!

Diane Asked

You're going to be abandoned on a deserted island for a year, but you are allowed to take some things with you. You can take a year's supply of 2 beverages, 2 meats, 3 vegetables and 2 fruits. What would you choose? You can also take your mp3 player with a year's supply of batteries. What songs/artists/styles of music would you preload on your music player? And you can add anything else you'd like to the details if that's not enough to get your creative juices flowing. :o)

My fun albeit facetious friend, Diane, has created this scenario for me.

Wouldn't you agree that anyone who would abandon me on a deserted island knowing I can't do without the internet and CHOCOLATE just might be a little facetious?

Thought so.

;)

Okey Dokey, Diane, here goes.

2 beverages: water and an occasional DP

2 meats: steak and salmon

3 veggies: corn on the cob, avacado (that is a veggie, right?) and green/red leaf lettuce

2 fruits: first choices would be pineapples and bananas, but I would hope that this is a tropical island, and they would already be growing on the trees, so I'll pick strawberries and pears.

I would load my husband's and daughters' voices, Nicole C. Mullens, Darlene Zschech worship music, some favorite teaching sermons.

I'm assuming "you can add anything else you'd like to the details" would mean other than the basics--t.p., sunscreen, my Bible, etc. And since I would not be able to last a year without my chocolate, I'm including that as an 'added detail' and will take back calling you facetious!

Adios.

Arriva Derci.

Siyanara, Diane, see ya when I get back!

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(Linda Asked is next!)

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It's All Bon Voyage Good!

Patty and Maxine Asked

I'm going to combine two questions today.

Maxine asked: So--how's the weather right now?

I'll have to admit, Maxine, that the weather isn't my favorite subject to talk about 'cause, frankly, I'm really tired of the snow. Just when the first 36" melted we got another 24". But I am happy to report that it will be in the 50's for the next couple of days. WooHoo! And all this snow is good for Flagstaff''s economy with the ski resort and tourism. Plus the fact that we've been in draught for several years, this moisture is a blessing. Thank you for asking.

Patty has asked me:

Well, I want to know what you do after dinner each evening?? Do you have to go ''back out'' after dark or stay in??

The answer to your question, Patty, is a risk. Now you're going to find out how really boring we are!

When Sunny's dad passed away, we inherited approximately 75 M*A*S*H videos, each having 3 episodes. Let's see, that's 225 or episodes.

This winter, that's what we've been doing in the evenings--munch homemade paper-bag popcorn and watch M*A*S*H.

Can you stand the excitement?

I...Know.

Boring.

But we love it!

Who doesn't love the fashionable Klinger, or the wit of Hawkeye, or cuddly Radar? Not to mention the shenanigans of 'Ferret Face and Hot Lips.

C'mon, work with me here folks!

We do have a office-cleaning job that we do Monday and Wednesday evenings every other week.

That and Blogging around is what we do in the evenings.

We live in a smaller town with not too many choices in entertainment. I know once we get up to Colorado Springs we'll be more apt to get off our M*A*S*H hineys, because there will be more 'places to go and people to see'!

I also have some crafting ideas I want to put my hand to but just haven't been able to at the moment.

There you have it. (I gave you fair warning, Patty!)

Coming up: Diane Asked.

It's All M*A*S*H* Good!

Jennifer asked

Wow, Jenn, you're making me go pretty far back!

What age did you allow Chelsie to:
a) wear make up
b) date
Have you ever had to address hard issues like weight, clothing choices, and attitude?
Does there ever seem to be any competition between your girls for your time or attention?

First off, we've tried to base all of our decisions on the Christ-like values we live by, but at the same time tried not to 'sweat the small stuff'. I believe that's the 11th commandment, isn't it?!

Let's see, if I recall correctly, Chels started wearing makeup around 12 or 13. It doesn't stand out as a big deal like, "You can wear makeup when your 13 and no sooner"! It was probably more like a special dress-up event for her that I just decided to let her have a little more sparkle.

With dating, I think we had agreed on 16. Again, with Chels, it wasn't a big deal. We just felt, maturity-wise, 16 seemed ok. I will insert here that Chels never wanted to get into the dating game. I know these aren't 'heavy, deep, and real' answers, but that's just how it went with her.

One thought I've always remembered came from a friend who was raising her first teenager. She told her daughter, "This is the first time you are a teenager, and this is the first time I am the mother of a teenager. Let's do this together."

Concerning weight: YOU TALKIN' TO ME?!
Fortunately, our 'genes' haven't required us to have to deal with weight issues with our girls. But at the same time, being aware of the extreme obesity rate among children, I have tried to stay educated and make it a point to prepare meals and snacks that are healthy. Junk foods and drinks are not a staple in our home. Key words 'in our home'! I'm definitely not an extremist. Get me on a road trip, with a Dr. Pepper and some Dori*tos and I'm happy--swollen, but happy! (ok, I'm working on it.)

Clothing choices:
Modesty is one area that I have always been adamant about. My all-time favorite quote-- "Right is right even if no one is doing it, and wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it"--fits perfectly here. The media and many other sources has successfully duped young ladies into thinking that dressing provocatively makes them beautiful and more 'fetching'. I tried to instill in Chels that she could dress fashionably yet modestly without looking prudish (sp.? is that even a word?!).

Attitude:
What teenager doesn't pick up a 'tude' at some time or another. Teaching kiddos to be respectful at an early age and maintaining this attitude will help them immensely. One of my biggest peeves is when young parents make the mistake of laughing and encouraging disrespect in their young children because it's 'cute'. Then they wonder why they're having respect problems when they're older. Go figure. Also, instilling in them that disrespectfulness, no matter who or where the attitude has come from be it school, church, neighborhood etc., will not be tolerated. Ok, getting off that bandwagon now before the horses start galloping away!

As for competition between Chelsie and Grace, I will have to say there hasn't been. The 13-year age difference has played a big part in that. But what amazes me, is that they can still scrap with the best of 'em, even with the age difference! Now that I think of it, I guess that is a form of competition, duh! They are completely opposite in every way--except for mint chocolate chip ice cream!

Thanks, Jenn. With some of your questions I had to really jog my memory. I even had to ask Chels!

Mistakes will be made, so never be afraid to apologize to your kids. It's not a sign of weakness, but a sign that you're real.

Next up: Patty and Maxine Asked

It's All Grace of God Good!

Amber asked

Let's not get so excited, shall we?!

This is from my niece, Amber on the subject of home schooling.

How is homeschooling with Grace? [our 7-year old] How did you make it through high school homeschooling Chelsie [21 now]? There are days I'm not sure if I can homeschool another day, then there are the days, like our Science Fun day, that keep me going. But I have to be honest, I am concerned about the H.S. years!!!

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Homeschooling Grace is a completely different experience than it was with Chelsie. Don't get me wrong, I love doing this. It's just a little more challenging and takes a little more time on my part with Grace, because she is a completely different learner than I am. I'm learning how to 'get in her head' and see how she processes her instructions and school work and flow with that.

As for making it through the highschool years with Chelsie, you'd probably be better off asking her--no don't, she might tell you things I don't want to hear!

When Chels began 9th grade we purchased an entire highschool curriculum covering the book of Genesis, which of course incorporated all of the necessary academic subjects required for each year. It was an excellent curriculum, but the first year was almost entirely science-oriented. I know you're probably thinking, 'Well duh, you're talking the book of Genesis'! We worked out of every science book--earth, biology, chemistry--and it was a hiney-kicker for sure. Because neither of our brains lean towards the scientific, it was hard to understand and retain. Our mantra for that year was 'glean'. Let's just glean what we can out of this. It did get easier.

I was also fortunate that Sunny was a whiz at math, because he was able to continue helping where math left me--I believe that was about 3rd grade!!! ;)

We chose to homeschool through the highschool years because we felt it was the best choice for Chels all the way around. We especially enjoyed the freedom to do things, go places and visit folks without being tied down to a public school schedule.

I know it can be so frustrating at times for you, especially having 3 kiddos. Because of the 13-year age difference between our girls, we've obviously raised/are raising them one at a time! But even with one, there are days when you feel like pulling your hair out. Let's face it, we live in a fun-oriented world. A lot of children have the idea that if something isn't fun or exciting, then it's BOORRRING! One thing that we're helping Grace with is understanding that some of the subjects aren't always going to be 'fun and games', just like doing laundry or the dishes isn't 'fun' for me, but it has to get done regardless. (Remember our science?!)

The biggest challenge is getting a handle on their different learning styles, like I mentioned above, and trying to patiently flow with that. Which means what works for one child won't necessarily work for another. For instance, it was a breeze for Chels to learn how to read. She picked up books and has never put them down. With Grace, it hasn't actually been until this year that she's shown a real desire to read on her own, and that has to be out loud. She still hasn't got the concept of reading silently to herself. She'd rather be dancing! I actually know of some who don't 'get' reading until 9 or 10, and there's nothing wrong with that.

And then there are the days when the sweet little princess wakes up on the wrong side of the bed (that would be me)! That's when I say, DAY OFF! And then off we go to the library, or the park and just spend time together outside of the house. I actually did this yesterday (Wed.). It was a nice day to regroup, and I just had her do a little extra today.

Three more thoughts:

-- Because of the undivided attention you can give each of your kiddos, they are probably learning far more than you think--even when everyone might be having a bad day.

--Never compare your child's progress with that of another child. You know your kiddo best and know what works for them.

--Relax, and make sure your kids know who's the Teacher!

I don't claim to know everything there is to know about home education even after graduating Chels. But, there are so many resources, groups, blogs, web sites etc. out there that can answer about any question you or anyone might have.

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(((You're an excellent Mom, Amber, and doing a fine job!)))

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Next up: Memaw Asked

It's All THAT'S MY CALLING Good!

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Jessica asked

, In my previous post, I asked you to leave me any question you wanted to ask specifically about me or my family to help me get me out of the _____ety_____ blogging rut I was in. I'll be posting these in the order the questions were received. Thanks for helping me out!

My disclaimer: My answers to your questions will be about how we live and what has worked for us. I don't claim to have all the answers!

Jess asked me this:

"Can you tell me about your businesses? Cleaning and real estate...just enlighten me..."

My husband has been in the real estate business for 15 or so years. When times have been slow, he's supplemented with teaching classes at the Real Estate school as well as doing bookkeeping.

We all know, however, how the real estate business has been nationwide... Thus the cleaning business was born.

Since I'm a home schooling Mom, it's a given that I have been a SAHM mom as well.

I first started house cleaning, by helping a friend when she needed extra help. Sunny works out of the house, so he was able to watch Grace when I needed to be gone for a couple of hours.

My friend and I worked the summer cleaning vacation rentals at an exclusive golf resort. It got so busy that she couldn't handle this along with her other jobs, so she handed over that part of her business to me. This is when we began our own cleaning business. Now Sunny and I do it together, and Grace tags along.

I'm thankful that the Lord threw wide open this door for us. It has helped keep food on the table. Sunny continues to do odds and end jobs while the real estate business begins picking up. And it is picking up for us.

Truthfully, and Sunny would definitely agree, cleaning toilets hasn't been our ideal job of choice, but it serves it's purpose for the time being. It's definitely not something we want to do for the rest of our lives.

And now, a fun story.

This particularly golf resort we clean at is a gated community with million dollar homes. Most of these are second homes. You have to enter through security--we call it the 'guard shack'. You have to be on the vendor's list, and sign in, etc.

Sometimes you have to deal with a cocky security person who looks down on you because you're just 'the cleaning lady'. (And what's up with guys and uniforms, anyway?!) I got on one particular fella's bad side, understandably, right off the bat after setting off a couple of security alarms. But hey, it fulfills his need for speed, right?

The problem was that you never knew from day to day what kind of mood he would be in. Some days he'd be the nicest guy, while other days he'd be grouchy as all get out. I was tempted to somehow slip him a couple of Mi*dols.

One morning he had to open up a home for us. I was getting pretty tired of his cocky attitude towards me. He began griping about his 'measly' security-job income. Now it's really nobody's business how much I make, but I just couldn't help myself. When he realized I made nearly three times as much as he did just 'cleaning houses' his cocky attitude went right down that toilet I was cleaning, and he respected me from there on out.

Well Jess, I'm not sure how 'enlightening' that was but thanks for helping me get back in the groove.

Stay tuned for Amber Asked next...


It's All Doin' What Works Good!

Ever have one of those days, or several days, when you want to post something but your mind is just ______? That's the way it's been for me lately. Oh, I know I can 'pick a meme, any meme'!, but I want to write about... _______... See what I mean? My mind just went _______.

Some of you post every day and I love that. I look forward to coming on every day knowing that Brenda--the other one ;)--, or Ronnica or Jennifer or Patty (just to name a few) will have posted something just for my reading pleasure!

It's not that I'm feeling pressured to 'keep up with the Joneses'. My time doesn't allow me to post every day. I just wish I could post at the drop of a hat. I guess the problem is that my daily life is really nothing to call home about. I don't at all mean that in a bad way. And it's not a problem for me, I enjoy my life.

I'm a stay-at-home Mom.

I home school Grace, my 7-year old.

We do ballet (well Grace does--my tutu doesn't fit my tu-tush!)

We go to the library.

Grocery store, Dollar store, thrift store.

We look forward to Chelsie coming over every Wed. for dinner. (btw, isn't that the cutest pic of Chels on my sidebar?!)

We have a cleaning business to help supplement the real estate business.

I blog visit.

Like I said, nothing to write home about.

So I'm going to ask you to help me, by asking me anything, anything you want to know specifically about me or my family that might help me get my blog juices flowing.

Help me get out of my _______ity-_______ rut! (No I'm not cussing!)

Just ask me a question in my comments, and I'll try and answer to the best of my ability.

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It's All _______ Good!