The Dream Team

It seems the summer slump has begun.  Bloggers all over the blogosphere are going on vacations or taking breaks to deal with the increased activity of summer living.  Good for them, bad for me as my life slows down in the summer.  I NEED your memes people!  Without you I'm going to have to get creative and that may or may not be a good thing.

The Wednesday Hodgepodge is among the missing this week so I've put on my thinking cap and done some scrounging around and decided to throw a question out to all of you (that would be the 2 or 3 of you who actually read the drivel I produce) to answer....and I'll answer it, too.

In a fantasy world, forget spouses and loves, if you could fall in love with a movie or television character, name 5 you would choose.  The characters, NOT the actors.

Me?

1. Johnny Castle from the movie Dirty Dancing.  He had that whole bad-boy vibe going on while really being a good guy and let's face it....when Dirty Dancing hit the big screen, there was nobody hotter or more exciting.

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2. Jase Robertson.  Yeah, he's a real person, but he is on television and he is a character.  I love the values he and his family have.  I think he's hilarious and would be a lot of fun.  And the beard doesn't bother me.

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3. Leo from the movie The Vow.  To have a man who loves you that much, who goes to such lengths, who even lets you go when it's what you ask for, even though it's breaking his heart......sigh.

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4. Booth on the television show Bones.  He's smart, funny, brave, devoted to the ones he loves and cares about, has great morals and values, carries a gun, and looks amazing in a suit.







Okay, it took me a minute to figure out how to fit him in to the list, but.....

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5. Bo Price from the movie Broken Bridges.  Bo is the hometown boy who made it big at the expense of people who loved him back home.  When he goes home due to an event that has devastated the town, it's as a bit of a has-been. He finds out some things he never knew (like he has a nearly grown daughter) and he sets about making amends, doing right by people and turning his life around.  All while singing like a champ and looking hot.



And there you have it....my dream team.

Daddy Dance With Me

Since I've designated Tuesdays as "multi-media day" I was going to put in my two cents on yesterday's bombings in Boston.....talk about how technology has change our view of the world.  How we've been bombarded with images almost from the moment the bombs exploded thanks to cell phones that can do anything but cook supper and tuck the baby into bed at night.  We've been "treated" to the view from every angle possible.  We've been privy to the pain, heartbreak, and heroics.  And now, the agencies investigating are asking for all images to be turned in.  Somewhere in all those pictures and videos may be a clue or even the face(s) of those behind the attack.

I was going to do that, but I think we've had enough.  We don't want to forget or bury it, but we also don't need to focus on it exclusively.  The media does that for us and if we spend enough time staring at what they offer, it's easy to lose hope.  So, today I suggest we turn our eyes away from the constantly replayed images left in evil's wake and look for the things that are good and pure and right and give us hope rather than drain it from us.

With that in mind, I'm sharing a new song and video from the debut EP from Krystal Keith (Toby's daughter).  It's a beautiful song and a beautiful video.  Enjoy!

Less Is More

Tuesdays (as of recently) have become multi-media day around the blog.  That means I could be posting just about anything as long as it's related to writing/blogging, computers, television, movies, music, books, cell phones....well, you get the idea.  Oh yeah, I've also decided Tuesdays are also for gratuitous flashes of Toby....just because I'm a fan.  Humor me, okay?

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For far too long I've let the blog just drift a long and now I'm going all intentional on it (and you!).  In my head I know that it takes time to build a blog up, but my tender little heart is whining..."Where is everyone?  Why aren't they commenting?  Is my blog that bad?  Etc. etc. etc."  I'm still struggling to find the direction I want the blog to go, but I'm expecting hoards of visitors and fans.  Bwahahaha!  I am soooo funny.

Gratuitous Toby #1
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In my search for blog help, I came across this post on 5 Common Blog Mistakes.

1. Ignoring social medias.
2. Not commenting on every blog you visit.
3. Over posting.
4. Publishing at the same time every time.
5. Writing in blocks.

Numbers 1 and 3...I'm good.  Number 2....depends on my mood, how much time I have, etc.  Number 4....yeah, that's me.  I do my blogging in the morning between bus runs.  Evenings always feel too late.  I'll have more flexibility this summer when school is out.  And number 5?  I am in really deep doo-doo.  I studied journalism and English.  I like words.  Words are my friends.  In return, I use LOTS of them.  I'll work on it.

Ultrabooks: thinnest, lightest laptops on the market.  Talk to me about them.  Does anyone have experience with them?  What brand do you have?  Are they as functional as a laptop?  If they are, I'm thinking that will be my next step in the computer world.  Any thoughts on the ones that convert from laptop to tablet?  Seems like a lot could go wrong there.  What kind of battery life do they have?

Gratuitous Toby #2....a song that you probably aren't familiar with unless you're a fan, but it's actually one of my favorites.

Blue Skies & Blue Hair

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*Hmmm....wondering if today might not again bring us a storm that wasn't.  Looking out the window at the clear, blue sky and sunshine it's hard to believe it's supposed to start raining this afternoon, then turn into snow and drop anywhere from 3 inches to nearly a foot of snow on us (we're in that "iffy" zone between what everyone gets and what higher elevations get).  Well, at least I am prepared.  I did some grocery shopping this morning (we needed stuff, not because of the storm) and we have plenty of bread, eggs, milk and toilet paper!

*Bible study is cancelled tonight.  They actually made that call last night based on the forecast.  Boo!  I love my Bible study and friends.  Tuesday is my favorite night of the week.

*The Civic Club met last night.  If you've been following me for a while you might know that I am the president of that intrepid organization.  Much to my dismay.  There was a time when it was THE club to be in.  Everyone who was anyone was a member or wanted to be.  They raised bushels and bushels of money and contributed to so many worthwhile projects in the community.  That was what lured me in to membership after attending one of their fundraisers.  I was excited.  Now I know the reality.  In this day and age, women have too many other things to do.  They don't want to join a civic club and serve on committees.  They think it's a great idea and all, but they are just too busy.

I had my arm twisted became president my second year in the club and have served for two years.  I didn't want the job, but neither did anyone else and they begged and pleaded and promised all kinds of help.  What I ended up with in reality is a dinosaur lumbering toward extinction and not realizing the way is paved with banana peels.  I'm the youngest member of the club.  My mom is 20 years older than me and there is another woman I used to work with who is maybe 15 years older than me.  The rest of the women are in their mid-70s through their 90s.  The ones who promised to guide and help me have either dropped out or block me on everything (but we've always done it this way!).  They veto any ideas of fundraisers because none of them are up to it and don't think the three of us who are able-bodied can or should have to do it oursleves.  That means there are no new funds coming in.  I also have to deal with one lady who tries to micro manage everything I do and criticizes anything that doesn't go her way.

After a rather embarrassing meeting (3 city planners came to speak to 7 members) I told the ladies that while it was a sad thing after 93 years of service, I thought it was time to face the reality that the club is nearly dead.  The 7 who were there are the only ones physically able to be there and of them, I suspect we will lose another one or two in the coming year.  I expected a battle, but once I put it out there they seemed to agree and next month we will discuss the fate of the club and how to disburse the remaining funds.  What a relief!  I should be free of this albatross by the end of the summer.

*Plans continue to form for the direction of the blog.  No feedback on the names, though, people.  Take a look here and tell me what you think.

Aside from the name and look, I'm trying to come up with a blogging schedule...certain topics on certain days.  I can tell you that Tuesdays are going to be multi media days.  Movies, television, music, computers, tablets, cell phones, books, news....anything!

I'm also going to feature Gratuitous Toby Tuesdays where I share something about Toby Keith.  What can I say, he's my favorite country singer and my celebrity crush....way better than an undead, sparkly vampire. *wink-wink...to those who are fans.*  Enjoy his latest video on me.

A Super Hodgepodge

1.  In the USA this coming Sunday millions will be watching as the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49's in the Superbowl.  What was the last event you attended that could be described as super?

~ I've been to a few "events" in the last couple of years, but the last one I'd describe as super?  That would have to be the Toby Keith concert in Pittsburgh two years ago.  The hubby bought Megan and I VIP tickets and our seats were front row center!  Now how could it get any super-er than that?  Like this:

2.  Share something you're a fan of these days?

~ This is an easy one....Duck Dynasty! All those guys crack me up, but I am a huge fan of Willie.

3. How do you feel about wings?  In case anyone is confused, I'm talking the edible appetizer kind.  What's your preferred seasoning on a wing-hot, mild, teryiaki, sweet and sour, other?  Do you make your own or is there a favorite place you like to go for wings?   

~ I don't go anywhere for wings.  I don't like wings.

4.  As long as we're talking sports today...have you followed the Lance Armstrong story?  Did you watch his interview with Oprah and if so what was your reaction to his confession and subsequent remarks?  

~ I didn't watch.  I don't like Oprah or Lance.  I can say that I think it was all just publicity for his book.

5.  What's a question you hate to be asked?  

~ How much to you weigh?

6. The coaches in this Sunday's big game happen to be real life brothers.  Jim Harbaugh coaches the 49er's and his older brother John Harbaugh coaches the Baltimore Ravens.  Were you and your sibling(s) competitive?  In what way? Are you still?  If you're an only child how did you handle competition growing up?  

~ I'm an only.  I don't remember much competition other than in sports.  I was very competitive in sports.  In it to win it or why bother was pretty much my attitude.

7.  What's your favorite game involving a ball and when did you last play?    

~ Football has always been my favorite game with a ball.  When I was younger I loved to play.  These days I'm content to watch so it's been years.  When I was a youth leader I'd play a game with kids called Prison Ball.  It was dodge ball, but people who got "out" went to prison which was behind the other team.  If a ball made it into the prison the prisoners could throw it.  If they hit anyone they were back in the game.  Sometimes we'd throw 2 or 3 balls into the game.  Talk about a game that kept you on the move!

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 
~ I'm thinking Mother Nature needs to stop skipping her meds!  Last week we had a couple days of temperatures hovering at the zero mark.  Friday we had a horrible snow storm that began after the kids were in school and kept right on going until after they were home (talk about a long, long afternoon on the bus) and today I woke up to the actual outside temperature at 65 degrees!  Now we're looking at high winds, thunderstorms and heavy rain for the rest of the day and tonight.....SNOW!

You Can Lurk, But You Can't Hide!

The blogging experts I listened to at the Relevant Conference back in October advised against checking your blog stats daily unless of course your blog is a business.  Then you kind of need to look at stats to analyze what brings people to your blog so you can bring more people to your blog and make money.  If you blog as a ministry or just for fun as a hobby...checking your stats can start a vicious addiction.  It can get pretty demoralizing, too, if the numbers stay small.  The advice I took to heart was that if you're blogging for God, put it in God's hands.  Pray about the blog, about what you write, about who reads it....and trust Him to bring whoever needs to see it to you.  If you never know they were there, it doesn't really matter.

That said, I still check my stats, but not as often and not to see how many people are reading.  I just think it's fun to see where all you people come from and what brought you here.  Do you ever look just for the fun of it?

Just this week I've had visitors from:

Maryland

Iowa

Tennessee

Michigan

Georgia

Oregon

Oklahoma

Nebraska

Texas

Alaska

Alabama

Maine

Ohio

California

Virginia

New York

Arizona

and Illinois.

As well as:

Germany

Dubai

Bangkok

Australia

Netherlands

Stockholm

Wilayah Persekutuan (????)

London

Holland

Moscow

Hanoi

New Zealand

and West Bengal.

And the searches that brought them:

Okay/It's okay  (and really it is, usually)

Bored (Consider yourself lucky...if you're bored then nothing horrible is happening)

Bucket List (Good for you! Life is short, get out there and do something!)

Giraffe Neck (I happen to have a funny picture on the blog related to this.

I found it when I was looking for something else.  Why are you actually searching for giraffe neck?  

You aren't an international smuggler of rare animals are you?)

Banquet Centerpieces (Wow...you were really disappointed when you ended up here, huh?)

Irish Blessings (I don't know about blessings, but I dare you to say "Irish Wristwatch.")

Road Trip America (I must say, America was built for road trips.)

Where have you been?  (Right here.  Why, where have you been?)

Beach Bonfire (I think we could be friends.)

Have a Coke and a smile. (Love to, but I'm cutting back on the Cokes.)

Girls Who Are Gossiping. (Are you looking for dirt or have you been dished on?)

Round-faced preteen girl. (Okay, this one just scares me.)

One little aside.....someone out there in Norman, Oklahoma keeps visiting my blog.  Admit it, it's YOU, isn't it Toby?  I know you're checking up on me.  ROFLMBO!!

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30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 8

Today I am thankful for......MUSIC!  I love it all.  Classic Rock, country, alternative, folk, classical, Christian, gospel, jazz, blues....pretty much anything.  Gangster rap and death metal are the only types of music I'd say I pretty consistently dislike.

Music is always playing in the background of my life.  Having no musical talent and not being able to carry  tune is one of nature's cruelest jokes.  I would love to have that gift and be able to share it.  Music is such a powerful thing.  It evokes and involves all the emotions...and that's by design.

I learned recently that even the old hymns and chants were written using certain notes on purpose, because there are some that we respond more strongly to and they give us that Spirit-filled feeling. How Great Thou Art is one of those songs for me.  I have a physical reaction to it every single time.  Please don't get mad and think I'm saying that we don't respond to the Holy Spirit when we worship.  I'm not saying that at all!  I think that somehow those notes are like a key that opens a door.

Anyway, as I get older I'm liking older music as well.  These days I am totally into country rhythm and blues.  Here's one of my favorites:

My Night With Toby Keith

***Bwaaahaaahaaa....THAT should generate some hits!  LOL***

Sorry, folks....it's not what you think.  I only went to the Toby Keith concert in Pittsburgh last night.  My husband bought me VIP tickets, which were guaranteed to be in the first or second row and included a Meet & Greet with Toby.  My daughter went with me and when we were led to our seats we nearly died.

Seems the venue added a couple of more rows so the VIP tickets were upgraded.  Our seats were in the FIRST ROW, right smack in the CENTER!  The stage was literally no more than a foot in front of us. 

It was incredibly hot and humid yesterday and while I'm disappointed that when I finally got to meet Toby I was a sweaty mess (and probably stinky), I can take comfort in the fact that he was in the same boat.

Here are some pictures from the concert:

And the bonus?

Yeah, that's right.  That's ME standing there with Toby Keith

Somebody Got Their Tickets :)

I was online with my finger poised over the mouse button when the clock rolled over to 12:00.  It worked.  Megan and I will be viewing the Toby Keith concert in Pittsburgh from the center section first or second row.

Doin' My Happy Dance!

I am now officially a fan of Monday!  I was checking the Toby Keith fan site to see if they were ever going to sell VIP tickets for his Pittsburgh concert since it was announced over the weekend that general ticket sales start this Saturday....and you know what I found?  YES, those much coveted VIP tickets go on sale Wednesday at noon!

(I will be indisposed and non-communicative at that time as I will be huddled over the keyboard hoping to nab those tickets!  However, should I snag them you will no doubt hear me yelling wherever you are.)

I also discovered that I am the featured fan on the web site.  I'm taking that as a sign.  LOL

On with the celebrating!

I've Gone and Done It

I've done what I've said I'd never do.  I signed up for Twitter yesterday.  If you look over in the left sidebar you'll see a tiny little "tweet" button.  I don't really have a clue yet how it all works or what to do with it, but I'll learn.  I hope.

I also connected my cell phone to Facebook so I can update and comment remotely....'cause goodness knows all kinds of urgent and pressing stuff happens in my life that everybody wants to know about right away.  Pfffft!

Yesterday was only the second day of my summer vacation.  I wonder what else I can get into during the next three months?

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May 26, 1923 - June 3, 2011

I'm a little bit late with this, but I wanted to say goodbye to one of the giants of my childhood, James Arness.  Marshal Dillon rode tall in the saddle for 20 years on Gunsmoke and played a huge part in forming my opinions on right and wrong and what a real man should be.

Loss

Life has been full of loss lately.  Tim and Megan are both going to funeral homes tonight (yes, two different ones) for viewings. 

For Tim it's the loss of an old family friend.  At 93, the man's passing isn't exactly a surprise, but it does come quickly on the heels of his (the man's, not Tim's) younger brother just a few weeks ago.  It's a sad reminder for Tim that the remaining brother, who he looked to as a father-figure, won't be with us much longer.

Megan is going to pay her respects to the family of yet another of her friends.  She just went last week because the brother of a good friend over-dosed.  This 19-year-old boy fell asleep at the wheel.  It is heartbreaking to see how many (mostly boys) in her generation are dying young.  It's like they purposely take chances or maybe it's that they see no reason to be careful of their lives.  I know most of them don't imagine getting ahead or having anything more in life than they do now.  I've seen a little of that attitude in Megan and it scares the bejeepers out of me!  These lost and hopeless kids need church and the hope that comes through knowing Christ.  They are a lost generation and we are failing them.

Then there is my good friend, Clew.  Clew has just suffered the monumental loss of her father.  A lot of other things are going on and life is just sitting heavy on her right now.  If you have a minute stop by her blog and show her some love and support and maybe offer up a prayer for her and the family.  Check out her blog, too....she's an excellent writer.

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Day 27:   A song that you wish you could play.  Well, I had to get a song by Toby in this challenge somewhere.  Should've Been A Cowboy was Toby's first hit and the song that cemented me as a fan.  It was also the number one country song of the 90's.  It's not that the guitar playing blows me away or anything, it's just a fun song to sing and it makes me kind of nostalgic for the old days.  I'd love to be able to play it.



day 28 – a song that makes you feel guilty
day 29 – a song from your childhood
day 30 – your favorite song at this time last year

Song Challenge, Day 8: Singing Along

Song Challenge, Day 8....a song you know all the words to.  I know all the words to a lot of songs so I picked one with lots of words to impress you.  Are you impressed?  ;)



day 09 – a song that you can dance to
day 10 – a song that makes you fall asleep
day 11 – a song from your favorite band
day 12 – a song from a band you hate
day 13 – a song that is a guilty pleasure
day 14 – a song that no one would expect you to love
day 15 – a song that describes you
day 16 – a song that you used to love but now hate
day 17 – a song that you hear often on the radio
day 18 – a song that you wish you heard on the radio
day 19 – a song from your favorite album
day 20 – a song that you listen to when you’re angry
day 21 – a song that you listen to when you’re happy
day 22 – a song that you listen to when you’re sad
day 23 – a song that you want to play at your wedding
day 24 – a song that you want to play at your funeral
day 25 – a song that makes you laugh
day 26 – a song that you can play on an instrument
day 27 – a song that you wish you could play
day 28 – a song that makes you feel guilty
day 29 – a song from your childhood
day 30 – your favorite song at this time last year

30 Day Challenge, Day 17: Something to Look Forward To

Something I'm looking forward to?

Well, I am beyond excited about going to the Relevant Conference in October.  Not only will I get to meet my blog buddy Beth, but I'll get to spend spend three days in the company of other Christian women who also blog.  The fact that it is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and not too far from the Hershey factory is just the icing on the cake.  October is a looooong ways off, though...

Toby Keith is doing a concert in Pittsburgh in September (I didn't think he was coming this year....and I go see him every year).  I've always hate that there is no way to get tickets close to the stage unless you win them from a radio station or pay big bucks (a couple of hundred dollars per ticket).  Up until now that's been out of reach.  I talked to Tim and depending on how much the VIP tickets are this year he's going to buy two for Megan and I to go!  Woot!

Summer vacation is closer and I am looking forward to that more than I can say.  This winter has been a long, miserable one on the bus.  I am beyond ready to say "Adios" to the kids and kick back by the pool and enjoy some sunshine and catch up on my reading.

The "Dem Idiots" comedy tour (Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engval, and Larry the Cable Guy) hits Pittsburgh next month and Tim, Megan and I are going.  These guys crack me up and there is not much I like to do more than laugh.

Oh, and lunch.  I'm really looking forward to lunch.  I'm hungry.







Day 18: Favorite Place to Eat
Day 19: Something you miss
Day 20: Nicknames
Day 21: Favorite Picture of yourself ALL TIME Why?
Day 22: What's in your purse?
Day 23: Favorite Movie
Day 24: Something you've learned
Day 25: Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26: Your Dream Wedding
Day 27: Original Photo of the city you live in
Day 28: Something that stresses you out
Day 29: 3 Wishes

Day 30: a picture of yourself this day and 5 good things that happened since you started the challenge

If You Don't Know Where You're Going, You Might End Up Somewhere Else

Okay, so maybe not all of Toby's song fits what I'm talking about today, but the line I borrowed the post title from certainly does.  And hey, if you know nothing else about me, know that I LOVE ME SOME TOBY!  Anytime I can slip a little of him in on you.....

If you don't know where you're going, you might end up somewhere else.  Have truer words ever been spoken?  I'm thinking not.  If you want to get somewhere or achieve something you have a goal (that's where you're going) or else you're just going to be wandering around loose like a halfwit hoping something randomly pops up, smacks you upside the head, and let's you know, THIS IS IT.  I don't know about you, but I can count on one hand how many times that's happened to me and still have a couple of fingers leftover.

You've got to decide what it is you want in life and set your goal, whether it's losing weight, getting that dream job, buying a house, or being a rodeo clown (hey, somebody has to want to be a rodeo clown).  Once you have a goal, you have to plan how to reach it.  Unfortunately, neither Google Maps nor MapQuest have your back on this one.  Life drops this one straight into your own lap.  It's a sink or swim, learn as you go kind of deal.  Now, you might get lucky and find yourself a good mentor or at least get some great advice, but ultimately YOU are the only one that can achieve your goals.

So, where do you start?  My personal starting point is prayer.  Life in general just seems to go a lot better when I ask God to go along with me and I feel more centered.  Beyond that, I'd like to recommend a book called 7 Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner, and Lane Jones.  The writers are all on ministry staff at North Point Community Church in Atlanta, GA, with Stanley being the founding pastor.

The book details the plan Stanley devised and used to grow North Point from a group of 6 people meeting in homes to a huge, thriving church.  I'm bringing it up here, because Stanley's plan works just as effectively when applied to your personal goals.  Basically, what you have to do once you've set a goal is keep on top of it.  Keep it at the forefront of your thoughts.  Evaluate all your choices and everything you do against that goal. 

Say you are trying to save money for a great vacation at the beach and need to cut back your expenses to do it.  You choose not to pack lunches from home during the work week, because you'd rather sleep in those extra minutes and it's just such a hassle.  Say lunch costs you $8-$10 per day.  That's around $50 per week or $200 per month. 

According to Stanley's plan you need to evaluate your lunch habit.  Ask yourself the question "Is this helping me achieve my vacation?"  For everything you do, you must ask the question.  You have to stay focused on the goal and keep it firmly in front of you.  That is the key to achieving it.

One other thing to consider....goals can and do change.  It's good to reevaluate regularly.  Maybe you will find your goal isn't the same today as it was yesterday and you have to replot your course.  That's okay.  Just as long as you have a goal in sight so you know where you're going.