Let me say thank you to....

...ATT for offering a fairly low price on text messages. My daughter had a grand total of 10834 messages for last month's bill. Ten thousand eight hundred thirty four text messages! Seriously? How is this possible and still do school work, play golf, have family time, church, etc. How how how?

I truly don't know but I am worried that this generation will not know how to carry on a decent conversation with people face to face. So with this amazing technology what will be next?

I have the iPhone and it totally rocks. I love Apple and I love the Genius's at the Apple Store, they rock too!! I have had so much fun with phone but I have not broken 200 on messages to my knowledge.

I am still in shock and I am so grateful we have unlimited messages otherwise this bill would not work out for us and I would have to sell my first born and her inheritance! Well that would be the text queen herself.

Once again, I am thankful because it could have been more than a laugh in this house with that number of messages. But since I am out of work AGAIN, I told her to have fun because although I can't cancel phones, I can cancel phone "stuff" to save money. YIKES!!

I wonder if there is a 12 step program for texters and if there is a place where they can go through their withdrawals. There is one thing I know for sure us Moms have to unite!

Wonder Moms Unite - Mom Power!!!

I like to move it move it!!

I like to move it move it!! Let's get moving. Allow Linda, our 2nd Cup Sister, to be your motivation!! I need to move it and lose it!! lol I have added the backgroun music for your listening pleasure! So get your husband, get your dog, get your wife, get your kids, and get your booty moving!! Get some Spring in your step! Chel

Project 365: Spring Break 3/16-3/21 2009

Hi all!!! Welcome back. This is my next set of Project 365 pics! I may have to do a post for just the fun we had camping and golfing. There is so much to show and say! But thanks to Sara at A Year of My Life and Make Music from Your Heart to the Lord we are having fun taking pictures and capturing moments in time!!! Thanks Sara!!!!

Ok here goes...Spring Break this year was supposed to be super-fabuloso! Well it was great fun and it would not have happened if I had not been eliminated at a job. ouch. I have been eliminated. It must have been how it felt on that game show, Weakest Link...."You are the weakest link, goody-bye!"

So we had thought about Hawaii...did not happen.

We talked about Puerto Rico and golf, nope nada zero zilch.

Then we were going to go to Padre Island (my home) and take care of something personal, a headstone for my mom. She died in 83 when I was 11, yes that makes me 27, eh hem, I mean 37, yikes. Anyway, whoever was supposed to never got it done. And we were going to camp at the state park: Mustang Island, because we have the park pass.

Then 2/27 I was told they were eliminating my position. I guess there is something about Spring. I was laid off at the same time last year from another job. So, we decided to let the kids play in a golf tournament in Tyler, Tx. We had a lot of fun so here are some pics of the week for you all.

Enjoy!

Monday, March 16th.

Shirt I gave my hubby for Valentine's Day. He said he used to love that game!

Tuesday, March 17th

Game I gave my son for Valentine's Day. Total fun! I am bringing it for our next ladies retreat!!

Wednesday, March 18th. Nothing like a Texas TACO! This is hilarious! This is the RV campground we stayed at for the kiddos golf tournament in Tyler, TX. (Texas Association of Campground Owners) Hilarious!

Thursday, March 19th
Emerging figures....Dad and son. See I saw a "supernatural" image appear and hubby said...
"It looks like we are coming out of the Cowboys Tunnel!!!!" such a man. lol

Friday March 20th, Hitting balls at Sunrise! Beautiful and cold!!!

March 21st. Get in the hole!!! No wait it is!!! lol way to go Sister!!

All warmed up!! Time to tee off.

Darling daughter found a bug! ewww!

We had some fabulous fun! The handsome little man placed 4th! I will get a picture with his ribbon up soon. The darling daughter improved each day! She did awesome!

Love, Chel

The Ultimate Blog Party 2009!!!!

Hello!! My name is Rachele and I go by Chel (shell). I love to write and I have had so much fun blogging. My blogs are almost a year old! I am a wife of 17 years and a mother of a 16 year old precious-princess-daughter and a 10 year old sweet-as-pie son! I am so excited to be participating in this blog carnival. I love carnivals e-sphere or hemisphere! I have one question, "Does this one come with cotton candy?" I do have caramel popcorn I guess that will do.

I had accidentally posted my linky under Facebook but it should be only "Family Friendly".

A couple of cute things about my kiddos. My daughter was praying immediately upon hearing sirens at age 2 and my son potty trained himself. When my darling little girl would hear sirens she would come running with her little hands folded and say, "Mom, someone is hurt, we must pray!" Her exuberance is still unmatched! Now with the little streaker, imagine our curiosity when he came walking out of the bathroom naked. When we asked him what he was doing he simply and plainly replied..." I went potty." As if it were no big deal!! It took 4 years to potty train my daughter and these days don't get her laughing too hard, or me for that matter!!! (it's all in the bladder!! or not that would be the problem.) Ok, TMI!! sorry.




Our family is into many things first is church. Our church is a blast with many opportunities to serve and learn in a growing community North of Fort Worth, Texas. And the members are so loving and caring, you feel like you are home. I am a Texan thru and thru. I have lived other places and there truly is "no place like home" for anyone I suppose.

{clink clink}


I also have some room for a couple of more bloggers to join in on a game, read this post and follow along!! Join the fun and Let's Play!!


I have a few blogs and this one is for various things that may be on my heart, through my camera, or of rhyme and reason! I love to write poetry although I have not written much lately. My best friend (sister) and I have a ladies ministry together that just turned 6 years old! We are very blessed and excited to be serving the Lord while ministering to women. It is called WOVEN Ministries (Women Of the Vine Equipping Nations).



I have another blog where I write about the beautiful multi-faceted names of our LORD. It makes it much easier to understand His will when you understand His characteristics.



I have loved and collected old books since 1994. There are various types of books in my collection from the books of my Grannie which are well over 100 years old, poetry, and books all the way to WWII era publications. I like most everything, eclectic in many ways.



I work in the insurance field as a source of income and will be very excited when the Lord brings to fruition all that is on my heart. I have faith that the One who began the work in me will be faithful to complete it. Medicare is the area I am going to be focusing on and will be launching another blog. Medicare Check Mate will be for the internet savvy seniors and their families to explore, because it always seems under attack from many angles. And the strategy behind Medicare and all that comes with it can be very confusing.



Our family is into golf and camping. Sometimes camping includes dirtbikes and four wheelers. I will be on the four wheeled version and leave the 2 wheels to those who like them. We camped over spring break in East Texas while the kids played in a two day tournament in Tyler, Tx. The RV park was run by a very nice family and it will be fun when we can go back.



Thank you for coming by my blog and enjoy your blog-hoppin' as you go through the many options of this carnival! I hope that you will be back, I will return the favor for sure. I am always searching for new blogs to read!



As I perused the many prize offerings I absolutely feel in deep love with the possibility of a #58: Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer. I have longed deeply for one for many years and it is simply out of my price range. I love to bake and would use it like crazy!!! Thanks to the generous offer from Moms Who Think!! You rock!!!

Next this touched my fancy! My husband's favorite restaurant is Carrabba's and when I saw this offer I squealed with joy! #88 a $40 gift certificate to Carrabba’s Italian Grill. I would like to thank The Divine Miss Mommy for providing the prize.


Then, I saw #50: a $50 gift certificate to Paperlicious, provided by: Paperlicious - Hip Invites & Notes. With our ladies ministry supplies that are appealing to the eye are in high demand!

And #19 — $50 gift certificate to Target Stores, provided by: Shoot-Me-Now. (love that title! lol)

I am also interested in #68 Christian Book Gift Card, $30 gift certificate to Christian Book Distributors, provided by: A High And Noble Calling.


And #71 – flip flops for Mom & Daughter from Top It Off, provided by: Top It Off.



Enjoy the blog carnival I know I am!!! If you are interested in joining do so before the 27th!! Hope on over to 5 Minutes for Mom. You will find the instructions and where to go from there!

Tootles,
Chel

Let's Play! One person's junk is another person's treasure!!!

My sister Chel, is playing a game and I think I will play along. Here are the rules:

It's open to everyone, in the United States, who reads my blog.The first FIVE people to respond to this post will get something bought or made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I buy or make!

2- What I choose will be just for you.

3- It will be done this calendar year. (that's right, before December 31, 2009!)

4- You have no clue what it's going to be. I have much more time on my hands than I once did so who knows what will hit this old brain! It could be a new or even old creation of mine. I just may have to buy something. OR...ha ha...I do need to do some Spring Cleaning....scary!

5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. But I would never send something that I didn't like myself!

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and make the same offer to the first 5 people who respond on your blog entry, thereby continuing the fun!The first 5 people to do so, and leave a comment telling me they did, will win a FAB-U-LOUS gift from me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it! Sounds like fun, right? So, let's play!

Project 365 Just Golfin' & Goofin' A-Round

Sara at Make Music from your heart to the Lord and A Year of My Life is hosting Project 365. Take a photo a day for a full year!!

So get your camera's in gear and join in on the fun!

March 10th,

Princess Di doll my mother-in-love painted!

See if you sleep late Mom may still have the camera!

March 11th - home sick
But Mom takes no reprieve!

March 12th...Golf Tournament so you get a few more...

Hubby - aka Dad - driving the cart.

Leapin' lizards...no wait...that's a squirrel...

it must have gone berserk!

Hey Ray......

Birds taking off!

Could not resist...too pretty!

The look must be from low blood sugar!!

yeah, that's it!!! NOT!!!

None of you have ever seen this look I am sure!

Now, looky here young lady!!!

March 13th, last day to work before vacation!

Look at the size of his hands!!

March 14th,

Gibson Girl sketches, my aunt has originals!
These are old 1940's magazine covers.
Caption on middle one,"Not worried about her rights".
Pray that we will be able to say that!

March 15th, a cross carved by a dad of a friend!

And to keep true to the golf theme, I added for your viewing pleasure!

The Pursuit of Happiness!

and prayer....

I have often meditated over those very words and their inherent meaning. Do I really believe that this right is given to me by a nation? Is it my right to be happy? WAIT! I need to read that statement again, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..."


Oh I see now, I am only granted the right to pursue happiness. Well I have determined that this search will leave me unfulfilled because I will want more; I am insatiable. Truly and seriously insatiable. It seems futile to me to continue a pursuit of happiness that could potentially have no end in sight. If I am honest with myself and to whomever chooses to read this, I will always want more. I believe this to be my fleshly nature. If I have one cup of coffee I long for another...still decaf mind you as I am being such a good girl, for once! lol If I have one piece of birthday cake, I will want another because once that delectable wonderfully vanillaly sweet icing hits my mouth, I always want more. Gluttony get behind me! (7 deadly 7 deadly...!) Lord help me.


Back on track now. sorry! So it is no wonder that depression increases. One cannot help but get depressed when the attainment of happiness is no where in sight. When we do receive what we believe will make us happy, we find ourselves wanting once more. We could learn a lot from our ancestors and from modern day legal immigrant's "success" stories. When I have met business owners here in Texas, that are immigrants, I am astonished at their level of "happiness". Oh they are not even in the middle class yet, but guess what, that is not how they measure their happiness. Then I meet business owners, natural citizens, who have far more than the others yet they are miserable and in need of much more than what they have.


This is why seeking the Lord should be first and foremost among our daily tasks. Ask yourself the following questions: Where is He working? Where does He want you? Have you even thanked Him? Have you honored His name and will above your own today? Oh from one with very very swollen toes, I come to you with this that has been on my heart for some time.

Now I know that is just one yucky picture (and not my own toe btw), but you get my drift here...God has been all over me on this. So as to not be in pain alone, I am sharing with you. Misery does love company doesn't it? No really, I am grateful that my Heavenly Father takes the time to mold me and refine me, Lord knows I am glad He had not left me the way I was when we first met. And again when I strayed, He took my hand and led me on the path of righteousness for His name sake.

There is so much for each of us to learn but the most important is loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. When all things are second to that then, we have joy complete.

The next thing we should pray for in following our Lord's example, is to recognize that He is the Provider of our daily bread and we should thank Him for it too. All that we have is just on loan, it is all His afterall. Another important component to our prayers is repentance. When we have unrepentant sin, whether overlooked or stubbornly held onto, it creates distance in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Although one's salvation is secure it does not mean their relationship is on the best terms. Think of it like a fight with your spouse, the two of you are angry but you are still married and still love one another. There is a noticable distance even if it is short lived. Distance interrupts the relationship, all relationships.

So today I turn to the Lord's prayer in my pursuit and this pursuit is not in vain. The end result is joy. Eternity with the Father and an inheritance with the Son, Heaven will truly be a wonderful place! I CAN'T WAIT!

Luke 11:2-4
"Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”

In the tune of the old Shower to Shower commercials, "Have you had your prayer time today?"

Chel

Project 365 Little more than 10 pics cuz I wanna

This bee looks more like a fly but I have never seen flies swarm flowers.

(any thoughts anyone?)

I could not 'bee'lieve this bee or wasp was still long enough for me to get the picture. There was a hummingbird here but it was way to fast for me.

My beagle, Jenny, who is afraid of the camera. She left after this pic so I hope you like this one. She is a sweet heart but she will not be posing any time soon. :-(

This is Rufus and he doesn't like the camera too much either but I was able to sneak this one in.

My Birthday: Pre-Dinner (no there is not an after dinner picture...too full)

This is my son sneaking in when I tried to take a picture of the bread. Isn't he cute?

This is the German Combo! We were at Edelweiss! Fabulous!

Yes, Chel I will make sure we visit this place when you are here! It is a blast!

This is hubby, caught him smiling. He was trying to avoid the camera...perhaps he was scared like the doggies. Hmm...

This is my baby girl with her semi-bionic man / semi - Mike Meyers....

This her pertiful smile!!!

Slurpin da Root Beer

Smilin' little boy!

Ok, I made coffee - decaf 22 days without caffeine! - Well hubby wanted some and I put the sugar and creamer in his coffee but IN MY CUP! So, I dared him to drink from the girlie cup and I grabbed my camera! tee hee. I have his permission to use this btw. (Isn't that cup cute? And not an ugly mug?)

Linda just for you I finally found my ugly mug. It was in the secret cabinet above all the other cabinets in my kitchen.

This is the secret cabinet.
And this is the ugliest mug in my house. My Granny bought this mug for me. But there is just something about grabbing something by the neck to take a drink.
Ok, now this is a funny yet kinda-tacky mug in my house. This was my dad's. I thought I would share. See next picture for the other side.

Other side.

Project 365: Through the end of February.

Thanks to Sara at Make Music From Your Heart and a Year of My Life for thinking of this Project 365! Pictures are so fun and this is a great way to show our photos without lining up the neighbors to view slides of our events, vacations, kids, pets, and hobbies!

Well I am too far behind to catch up. So I will start from here again. Sara, thank you for stating on Chel's Legacy blog that there are no rules. That made my night, I want to contribute but got caught up in business ARG.

I thoroughly enjoy taking pictures and finding the time to do so and look around has become scarce, but God has just opened up a lot of time for me. I was laid off and joined the growing ranks of the unemployed. So, I will surely be able to keep up!! :-) Here are some from the past weeks. I will have golfing kiddos this week so I will go green, ha ha!



Presenting Sir Casablanca's Bogart once again!!! "Bogey"












Swinging with me!













Just precious!















Who me?












Yes me!!!












Ok, I'll pose again!












Aww, I love the wind in my ears!!!











Hi!



























Pretty Profile!





















See his colors!!!

Does he look guilty or what?

Bowing to say his prayers. awww!

Thanks for stopping by!

Bye bye Bogey!