Friday, September 18, 2009

Randommmmm DOZENNNNNNN


I so wish I could have had that grand theatrical voice announce this post! You know the type - "You should be in radio?" ha! I woke up in a goofy mood, that is what happens when I don't sleep well, or when I do? I forget which it is.
Here are my RANDOM DOZEN

1. Which is worse: a long, boring meeting or standing in a return/exchange line after Christmas?


Definitely the long return/exchange line after Christmas. It amazes me how truly horrible people can get (in front of and behind the counter) after celebrating the best bithday EVER! I try not to be one that helps the negative notion move on down the line but boy they sure are contagious.


2. Except for maybe Rosie O'Donnell or Ann Coulter, nobody likes confrontation, yet we all have to deal with it. When you feel cornered and defensive, do you "bite back" or become passive aggressive?

Both. It depends on who the attacker is. I think both are just terrible when used to their utmost evil. Nothing like a passive-aggressive getting on to you!! You know what I mean jellybean???

3. Do you know anything about your genealogical background? (What country, culture, ties to prominent historical figures, or other stuff.)

Yes, I am German. I am the third generation here on my dad's side and no one really knows much about my mom's side other than her dad, my precious grandpa looked like a leprechaun but in a good way.

4. What is the quickest way a person can endear him/herself to you?

Talk to me or comment back as it where. I love to converse all day and all night. Talk and laugh laugh and talk. Most of all I really do enjoy talking about what the Lord has goind on in my and the other person's life.

5. Cake, pie, cookies, or ice cream? (Note there is no "all of the above" option. You must choose one. Feel free to elaborate on flavor or memories tied to this dessert.) If you'd like, you can share a recipe, but you certainly don't have to.

Pie, millionaires. Oh it must must must have the buttercream between the cream and the crust, it is simply a must!! Merrit's Bakery in Tulsa, Ok has positively the best and Furr's Cafeteria has the second most best!!

6. Females: Do you regularly change your handbag to coordinate with your outfit?

I do, this helps me clean out the receipts!


7. Are you task-oriented or relationship-oriented?

Definitely relationship-oriented - I've been tested!! lol

8. IHOP, Bob Evans or Cracker Barrel?

Cracker Barrel! Oh yes!

9. Have you ever left a movie in progress in a theater? Why?

Yes, terribly offensive in nature.


10. What is one area of life in which you would like to develop more discipline or organization?

Mornings!! I need more "together" mornings.

11. Was middle school fun or painful?

It was a little of both. My 6th grade was still elementary for the school I happened to be at but 7th and 8th had its ups and downs but over all it was good. One of the most painful memories of a stupid boy hurting me was in 7th but the one of the times becoming a girlfriend to the best boy was in 8th. :-)

12. What is your favorite Fall beverage?

Pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin spice frap!! Love it!
This is so great Lid!! Thank you for creating some fun!! If you get a chance check out my little ditty on the previous one: http://abidingbranch.blogspot.com/2009/09/random-dozen-9909.html

You will love my church and hugs/kisses answer. Have a fantastic Friday.

Have fun ya'll! Chel

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Random Dozen 9.9.09



Linda at 2nd Cup has given us a dozen more inquiries!!  Just click the button up above, play along, and share some love!!!

1. What is something that you have changed your mind about either recently or over a number of years?


GUINEA PIGS! Now, I'm not they should become a delicacy as they are in Ecuador, but I do wish we had never purchased them. (or allowed them to be purchased) A Top 20 worst decision. But they are cute...




2. Choose either subject, but does your a) church b) job feel more like a dental chair experience or an easy chair (recliner) experience?

It is more like a Mexican folk song! I, yi, yi, yi....buenos noches! No really it is wonderful and fruitful most of the time but I would not relate it to a recliner. It depends on the number of people and committees you have to sort through to be able to serve.


3. Kisses or hugs? I actually typed "huts," which might have been a more interesting question.

Oh yes, I could have had fun with "huts"!! Both, I must have both!!! X's and O's!!!
I like them both in a hut or even with a nut or on a bus make no fuss. In my home so I won't roam. I like kisses on my cheek for there they are oh so neat. I like hugs all the time and I hate it when my children whine. I like kisses I like hugs by the fire with my hubs!


4. What do you think is the biggest threat to families today?

Immorality! I heard a sermon from a guest speaker form England at FBC Woodstock via podcast dated 4.19.09 and he said something very interesting...."Instead of thinking our economic devestation is happening TO us  perhaps God is allowing it FOR us." I say this because I know finances could be a huge top 5 answer for some. (Maybe you remember his name Chel.)


5. A day after you grocery shop, you open a perishable item that is horribly spoiled. Do you take your receipt back to the store to be reimbursed or just throw it away and forget about it?

That really depends. If I need it right then and I do not have replacement then I will take it back, but usually I will toss it.


6. What personality trait (feel free to address good or bad or both) do you notice yourself adopting from your parents?

That is a hard one for me. I am seeing more and more of my Grannie in me though. She was my dad's mom and well I just hear her more all the time coming out of my mouth.


7. How many slices of bread do you leave in the bottom of the bag when you throw it away? Two? Three? Just the heel? None? (I really want to know if you eat the heel.)

I do like the heel. :-) I did throw one slice away today because I was very ill this morning and just looking at it made me yucky!

8. What mispronunciation or usage error really irritates you?

If I have to pick one it is probably, well I can't simply pick just one! One is the city of New Braunfels people pronounce it all over the place even to the point of adding consonants to it. Drives me nuts. And a darling family member says, "I seen ____ yesterday." drives me and another family crazy!!

9. In honor of the uniqueness of today's date, what does the numeral 9 mean to you? (Any special life moments attached to the 9th? Are you the 9th kid in your family? Can you count by 9s really fast? etc.)


The number 9? Other than its relevance to September I can't think of anything. I can count by 9's fairly fast. It seems as bad as I always was at math I am the one that helps the kids with homework. I have lived in my home 9 years!! That is a good one. This is the first house I have ever lived in, in my whole life, that was purchased. We rented my whole life. Yay, that is a good one. And I love my town most of the time. :-)


10. Does the general color palette in your closet match the colors you chose to decorate your home with?

No, I can't say that it does. I will wear much brighter and wilder colors than I will put in my home for the sake of my husband. Although orange is the strongest color in my kitchen.

11. When you're hanging out with friends in the kitchen, do you automatically ask to help, or do you sit there and chat until the host asks if you'd like to help? I'm not implying that the 2nd choice stems from rudeness or laziness, just not a first-response like it is for some people.

I ask for a task usually but have been known to keep talking without realizing it.


12. Let's end on a pleasant note: What do you enjoy about September the most?

Let's see, I love September!! The weather gets cooler (usually). My best friend's birthday is 9-12; my mom 9-22; my cousin is 9-10; my first huge crush 9-17, this list could go on!!

Thanks for the fun Lid!!
Chel

Monday, September 7, 2009

Project 365: Elbow Grease Defeat!

I could not leave you all hanging,  I had to show you exactly what the fabric softner dispenser is supposed to look like. Enjoy the freshness, I know I will!

What a difference!!!
Chel




Project 365

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Project 365: Super Sludge

Sara, this is not exactly what you had in mind in sharing wonderful pictures and growing in our knowledge of photography but I just had to share! I hope you got your nap today!

If you did not know Sara at A Year of My Life is hosting a year round photography blog! Check it out by clicking the button on the bottom of this post. You will love it!


Did YOU know that your fabric softner dispenser comes apart for cleaning? I did not! I know ewwww! It was gross, disgusting, faint-worthy, allergy keeper, mold grower, absolutely positively just down right wrong!

Friends, this was the worst moment for a Super Sabbath! I have, pardon me HAD, Super Sludge in my washer....check these out. I just be just absolutely embarrassed but just incase someone is as ingnorant to this as I am I must educate! I can live like this no longer!!!

"Wow, it comes apart!"
These two pictures reveal the wasted Downy in my washer. (Above & Below)
This is just WRONG!
No wonder my towels never lost that smell, oooo that smell, I always heard, "Can't you smell that smell?" ooo that smell!! Now I will be singing "so long smell, I can't smell that smell, ooo that smell my wahser never drained so well!! So long smell!"
Now it sparkles and is being washed with a heavy Stanley Home Degreaser!
Next, the towels!
Chel



Project 365

August Project 365

I'm sorry to say I took a very long break but I hope to finish strong. These are a few pictures from our summer vacation at Padre Island! Our friend Sara at A Year of My Life is hosting this wonderful photography theme where we take pictures and post to share. Thank you Sara for allowing us who do not keep up back in when we stray!!



My silly girl!
Her joyful journey in finding amazing seashells! WTG Sara!
Corpus Christi - Texas State Aquarium
Beautiful Padre Island Sunset
Sandy son! He had been fully buried in sand!
UFC - Unidentified Flying Cloud
There's that smile we missed earlier!!
Ye Old Townhouse where I met Chel at the age of 4 when she was still 3!!! Yay!!
"I'm diving in!" This bird caught a fish!!! tee hee!!
I loved the way the water was caught in this picture!! (The splashes and the waves.)
The USS Lexington (Blue Ghost) at Corpus Christi. Check it out it was amazing!


Project 365

Sunsets Have Been Gorgeous!

Braggin' on my golfers!

My son shot a 66 for 18 holes and took first place in his age group and the best score of all ages. Yay!!

My daughter took 3rd!! She is improving more everyday!!
It was a great First Tee Tournament!!
Good job to all the kids!
Chel

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Random Dozen: 2nd Cup of Coffee (Meme W/O a Theme)



1. When you go to Wowmart, what one thing do you get every single time, besides a funky-wheeled squeaking cart full of frustration? I have to say I do not think I have EVER come out of Wowmart with one single solitary thing ~ it always has company. But the most important is Toilet Paper, I like mine squeezibly soft!



2. What is something that people are currently "into" that you just don't get or appreciate? I do not and will not understand"Adult cartoons," like the ones with rude ugly babies. I just don't understand the humor in it at all. And they claim to be for "mature" audiences only. HA! in what galaxy?? lol


3. What is something that really hoists your sail that other people might feel "ho-hum" about?  Well since Chel said old books first and beat me to this meme, I will have to think of something else. :-) I would have to say that most of my friends do not get the "blogging" thing at all. I love my bloggy (e-side) friends because those that are sea-side (my home town) and those on the 3-D (live and in living color) side would rather just play with facebook. lol But I am finding some awesome church members lately on the e-side!!!



4. Favorite song to sing in the shower or car? This is so not a fair question!! I have to pick!!! I can't I must give more: Motions by Matthew West and Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath AND EVERY SONG on this album by Tenth Avenue North Oh and Speaking Louder by Jeremy Camp and well any song by that man!!



5. A really great salad must have this ingredient: kalamata olives! I luh-uh-uh-uh-uhve greek salads ~ typed with a Texas accent!!!



6. Advice in a nutshell to new bloggers (one or two sentences): Keep on typing. I started an entire blog around a meme last year and it has yet to go any where. Perhaps I will rethink a format for it to make it easier to find words. BUT, I am writing it to praise God and make His name famous not mine.  He will send out His name in His time. Just hang in there if you have no following, perhaps you need to see if you even remembered to put the "Follow Me" widget there! I am following people who do not have one. Go to your profile and click on words in your boxes to find others like-minded.


7. What was the alternate name that your parents almost named you? Do you wish they had chosen it instead of the one they gave you? Lori Jean (girl) OR David Michael (if I was a boy). No, and I am glad I am a girl. I like my name "Rachele" even if I always get called Rachel which is a pretty name but you say my name like this: take Russia and shell without the ia and it is Ruhshell. Rachele. (one L and the ch is sh). Ok I'm done. lol (ps. my dad liked Raquel Welch and I am still trying to figure out how he got Rachele out of it. hmmm) I like this question best! My mom died in 1983 and I have a letter she wrote while pregnant with me and this is how I know this.



8. What in your life are you waiting for? I am waiting to get myself in gear and finish my book, the first of a series titled Journey With the Nail Scarred Hands!! I'm going to have a huge 3-D side, Sea-Side and E-side party when I am published!! (psst...Mary I will pay it forward!! Promise!) ~ see next answer...(ps. Linda, I like how you did not say EARTH! I almost gave a "Sunday school" answer!!)



9. You get a package in the mail. What is it, and who is it from? My wondiferlous package contains a book!! See I am an "influencer" yes you read that right. I am soooo special!! Someone who barely knows me loves me: When I open this glourious box, it contains the long awaited book titled Slow Burn by Mary DeMuth. I gave her my address today and I cannot wait to brag on her once again!!! Daisy Chain is first and it captured all of my attention and got us all talking! (or my daughter's TOMS shoes because she is driving me crazy for them.)

10. Today--what song represents you? Free to Be Me by Francesca Battistelli. I'm tearing up now just thinking about how free we truly are in God and how Francesca has really hit the note on the head! ~I meant to say note and not nail.



11. What is one thing that blogging has taught you about yourself? I am always in too big of a hurry!! I learned I really desire to write all-day-long!! I love to speak and write and it has really penetrated me heart's desire to do it all day every day!! This blog in particular reminds me of my two weeks in Brazil where I saw God move in a sovereign and mighty way. It also reminds me to daily realize it is all up to Him; all I must do is Abide in Him!



12. How are you going to (or how did you) choose the clothes you're wearing today? What do they say about you in general or specifically how you're feeling today? First, it must fit and that is no small task, no sticky bun intended. 2nd, my clothes will reveal that I feel great and I am ready to meet the world!


This was a blast, I think I will have a 2nd Cup!! Ok, maybe not since it is 1:10 AM!!! I am glad that the only Lid on Linda is her blog spellings because no one should ever put a lid on her!! I highly encourage you to do this. At first I thought, "WOW I just don't know," but then the answers just kept coming and coming as you can see because I don't know the meaning of ONE!

Please leave me a comment if you are going to do this but link back over to 2nd Cup of Coffee and let Linda know you are participating in her Random Dozen!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

What fills your thoughts??? Mind, Part 2

Is your closet in dire need of a good scrubbin'?
What's in your closet?

Today was our final session for Me, Myself, and Lies. It is bitter sweet but it was FAB-U-LOUS! We will all miss the Monday gabs and sharing God's word together!! So, I write to relish a little longer on lessons learned. We have committed to hold each other accountable and not just at Bible studies or specific times but BE THERE!! And when your closet is cleaned out you can do it!!

Now on to Week 2, Jennifer gets us digging around in our closet. What a trek!!! I was scared just at the thought of it. And I am certain if she really went through my closet with me, she would be scared too!! There are too many years of untapped, untouched, and unworn clothing in my actual closet so I was in fear of discovering what was in my mind. I've got the "fat" clothes, the "I will wear them again!" clothes, shoes for every day of the week, and don't forget the "they'll come back in style" section ~ that is the best part! I have purses, boxes, hats, a mum from 1986, a stool with my high school on it, a drill team hat, Christmas gifts (I'm an early shopper), and many other things you would think me crazy for keeping.

Oh but when it comes to our thoughts and what we have stored in there we see a different theme!! Most of my actual physical items brought back good, NO GREAT memories. But our thoughts are usually piled up by our wrongs, hurts, and violations. This leads to me and other women becoming fearful to be vulnerable with others. Our guards are up but not to keep the bad out but to keep anyone from coming in.

This particular week unfolds some thoughts we have stored tightly and helps get to the root of the matter. I will walk you through the parts of this week which were significant to me.

Day 1: Labels

We discussed our labels, destructive ones first. We learned where these were from: parents, disability, ourselves, spouse, siblings, employers, physical characteristics, former failures, or childhood comments. Then there was a blank for you to fill in if your label came from someplace else. WOW! That was digging deep and exposing some STUH-UH-UH-Uh-uf. And of course there are the 'labels' that are real. Keep in mind that a label is just a label and does not make the person what it is.

AHHH, but then we address if it is all based on truth. Remember Philippians 4:8? Most of us were able to say our labels were not true unless is from a condition (like Jennifer Rothschild's blindness). We all have factual labels...Mother, daughter, sister, friend, employee, employer, or ....You get the idea you have a label. I have always been blonde and as age sets in, I intend to stay that way. {insert snicker-snort here!}

But what have I done with these labels? What is attached to them? What if instead of Mother you were childless? Is that WHO you are? What if your mother is no longer here like mine? Am I still not a daughter? You see the theme? Labels are as labels are! What you think about that label is crucial. And what you allow it to speak over you is significant!!

Day 1 ends with the challenge to take each thought captive!
1 Corinthians 10:4-5
 Hold on tight! "They're slippery little suckers!"
Day 2

"Sometimes we label ourselves and sometimes others label us." Do you ever feel REDUCED by the label that is placed upon you? I know, we all do at times. She wanted to know if we ever felt a disconnect due to the label. This is important because she adds this:
I love the example she used of Naomi found in Ruth, a book in the Old Testament. Naomi had lost her husband and sons; she was a widow. This was her label. But she took it a step further and assigned that fate to herself. Her saddness caused her to call herself "bitter" and changed her name to match. She no longer felt she was in God's favor and she wore this painful label daily. Oh, but don't judge, just ask yourself what is your label that is REAL but has an untrue fate assigned to it? And let it be known that Naomi felt a significant impact on her faith by this implication. What a fate to assign to your fact!!!! [bitterness]  Remember it is temporary! 

God is sweet and Naomi's bitterness had defeat! 
Day 3
If you ever change your mind ( I love Crystal Gayle!) that has nothing to do with this, well it sort of does. I hope that you know how very deeply this study has changed me on the inside and has changed my mind!
See our mind, according to Jennifer and the Bible btw, should be like the mind of Christ Jesus. She has us look at how HIS is described and I got this acrostic:
MIND - Majestic Immaculate Noble and Disciplined
Wow, she said that our mind should be described the same! THE SAME???

  •  When the world says to make violators pay, Christ thinks forgive. Eph.4:32 and Luke 17:3-4

  • When the world says to look out for "number one", Christ thinks be humble. Col. 3:12 and Phil.2:3

  • When the world says buy now, Christ thinks be the Lender. Matt 5:41-42

  • When the world tells you "just do it", Christ thinks be self-controlled. 2 Peter 1:5-8

  •  When the world says pull yourself up by the bootstraps, Christ thinks, He is our strength. Phil. 2:13

  • When the world says it's all about you, Christ thinks you were bought with a price. 1 Cor. 6:20
We need to be authentic and make sure we clean the inside of the cup!!
(It usually starts with your mind.)
Day 4
This day is called to order by looking at our Faulty Assumptions. We base all our thoughts on our assumptions then we create our perceptions based upon them and whala REALITY. Perception is true NOT reality. It is your view point on reality based upon what you have observed and deduced as fact into a full force storyline. It is a horrible cycle of events and causes you to create your own misery!! You become a fiction writer and a pretty good one at that!!  Jennifer shows us in the Word how dangerous it is to nurture these faulty assumptions.

Martha (John 11:21) told Jesus if he only come sooner then her brother would not have died. Rachel (Gen 30:1) thought it better to take control if life was too hard and just abandon God.
 These are all false assumptions! You suffer from this? Know you are not without help, and that's a fact!
But if we dwell in the darkness of our minds there is the scary part: 1 Peter 2:10 tells us that those who are presumptuous are corrupt and despise authority. Yikes, that is so harsh, but it is so TRUE. And this type of sin is willful sin. We choose to follow our own perceptions or not. Psalm 19:13 gives us a great prayer to help keep us from willful sins.
Day 5
This day reveals how our thoughts reveal our belief and our lack of wisdom. This day was challenging to the core. This time she used the example of a good tree bearing good fruit and a bad tree bearing bad fruit.
Here she really digs into the root of the problem. The dangerous place is where it begins...in the roots. If you allow bitterness to grow, it will reach root deep. Hebrews 12:15 warns us from the bitter root!! "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

How you react to others reveals the health of your root. How you react to others reveals the health of your root and the assumptions you are acting upon. She used a very poignant example: Taking it personally when your hubby leaves the toilet seat up........... What gets your root rapping?

Remember you can't treat root rot by simply spraying the leaves. You have to dig deep!! I believe this is why it is very important to FIRST clean the inside of the cup. But don't we get it so backwards??? Here are some possible examples:
  • I can't go to church until I quit _________. (you got one? we all do!!)
  • I can't pray until I _________. (He wants you just as you are!)
This study uncovered a lot for me, the layers in my cup were thick. Have you ever known anyone who chooses not to wash their coffee pot or favorite cup? I knew someone who just rinsed theirs and never scrubbed it!! Ewwwww!! Their coffee did not taste as good or fresh to me. It had a certain thickness and after-taste. This is the impact we could leave on others.
Clean the cup first and worry about externals later as Christ compels and convicts. But once He does convict stay disciplined so that it will not become willful sin. Regardless of the analogies used by Jennifer or inserted by me it boils down to what is going on in your mind and how you think. This is usually where it all begins.
So, what's in your closet?
If it matches this one below, no worries, next we label with truth and wisdom!
Sometimes we self-impose the disconnect and we then assign a "fate" rather than "faith" to our fact.