Hey there blog world, yeah it's been a minute since I posted (something of substance). Well last weekend was pretty busy for me. One of my cousins had an adult toy party (ladies only) so Friday and most of Saturday I was busy running around in preparation for that. And it went nicely Saturday night. She had a nice turn out, with plenty orders.
Sunday, Hubby and I packed and headed up to Deep Creek lake. His birthday was Monday, and I'd suggested skiing a few times in the past so it was time to make that suggestion a reality. We stayed at the Suites at Silver Tree. Our room was really quaint and had the amenities we needed. He finally got a chance to take ski lessons and ski at Wisp ski resort. I'm not into outdoor activities, so he was on his own for skiing. But I did go snow tubing, and my face liked to have froze off. I'll admit that is was indeed fun.
His birthday dinner was at this really nice place that I've recommended to friends already. The name of the place is Cornish Manor. We found the place in the hotel advertisement. And it was really a charming place and the food was DELICIOUS! I can't stop raving about the giant crab cakes I had. Just thinking about them has me yearning for one. So if you are ever in the deep creek lake vicinity, please do stop in for either lunch or dinner. No other food places are worth mentioning since we dined at the Cornish Manor.
We headed back home Wednesday. It was snowing and we had to get a tire plugged and full the tank up before we actually got on the road.
All in all it was a good trip.
So it back to work for the both of us Thursday. And now it's Saturday and I'm playing at home beautician. I'm headed out tonight for a little comedy show at Arundel Mills. And then tomorrow I have a family meeting. Not sure if I'll do any more partying this long weekend. I'd really like to read a book during this down time.
At any rate, I think I need to check on my hair.........hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Peace, Blessings and Laughs
1/17/09
1/16/09
FWD: Life Lessons
Another little something that was sent to me via e-mail:
Lessons life has taught me...
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Peace, Blessings and Laughs
Lessons life has taught me...
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Peace, Blessings and Laughs
1/15/09
| You Are a Total Procrastinator |
 Almost all of your tasks get done late, if they even get done at all. You often find life overwhelming and stressful. You feel like you'll never get everything done. You spend more time worrying about your responsibilities than taking care of them. It's likely that you procrastinate because you have too much to do... or aren't doing the right things. Learn how to let go of what's trivial and focus on what matters. Do the important stuff right now! |
Are'>http://www.blogthings.com/areyouaprocrastinatorquiz/">Are You a Procrastinator?
Peace, Blessings and Laughs
1/13/09
You Are Copper |
 You are provocative and challenging. You help people realize who they really are. You live a very balanced life. You always take time for love and art. You are both a powerful and generous person. You always have time to give back. People find you to be incredibly ethical and loyal. |
Peace, Blessings and Laughs
1/12/09
Discussion Questions on a book: Strongholds by Vanessa Davis Griggs
These are some of the discussion questions at the end of the book:
Which character(s) did you identify and/or empathize with the most? Why?
I’m not sure if I would fully identify with any of the characters. But if I had to choose it would be Desiree and Edwin because of their marital issues. Although hubby and I don’t readily have the same strongholds (Desiree – eating and Edwin – gambling) we do have our issues with communication.
Fatima Adams seemed to have a difficult time overcoming how she felt about Darius Connors. Do you think things could have been easier than she made them to be? What should she have done to get past her strong feelings for him?
I’m not sure if there were any additional things Fatima might have been able to do to make the break up easier on her, break ups are difficult in general. Although I would have changed my phone number since Darius was insistent on calling and leaving messages.
Was Bentley wrong in what he said to his wife about the books she read as well as the television shows she watched? Was he even justified in bringing it up?
Bentley was correct in the statement he made to his wife (Marcella) about the books she reads and his addiction to p-graphy (and not photography). I’m sure if you ask any woman that reads that type of fiction if they would consider it p-graphy and that would say no. In fact, until I read this book I would probably say no. But after reading how Pastor Landris broke it down to those words bringing images to the mind and causes some to use their imagination, I can understand why he felt justified in bringing it up.
Is there a difference in what Bentley was doing as opposed to what Marcella was doing? Why or why not?
I don’t think there’s too much of a difference in what Bentley physically sees and what Marcella reads. To put it plain and simple one uses words and the other are those words acted out.
In your opinion do you feel overeating should be included as a stronghold? Why or why not?
I’m abit indifferent on this, I can see how overeating would seem harmless to anyone, but I can also see why it is considered a stronghold. A stronghold in that some people find it a hard habit to break which takes away from their body being a temple God gave them.
What are your views regarding a person who works as much as Dr. Holden was? In your opinion, should working too much be considered a stronghold?
I think Dr. Holden was justified in his reasoning for working so much in that he wanted to provide for his family’s every need and want. But as his wife Avis pointed out, those material things mean nothing if he’s not there to share them. And yeah working too much can be considered a stronghold in that it took Dr. Holden away from what mattered most, spending time with his family.
Arletha Brown was said to be extremely religious. Is there such a think as being too religious or overly religiously? Discuss.
I’m not sure about Arletha’s situation. While I can understand her plight for perfection and getting into heaven, she really went over board. She was more concerned with her getting in and her path that she didn't see fit to help anyone else along the way. And she didn't believe in the church changing with times.
I think as time changes so should how the church operates and minsters to people. Churches want to recruit people, but what are they doing to ensure those people recruited establish and maintain a relationship with the church.
If you had to choose a sin or stronghold from this book as the biggest sin or stronghold, which would you choose and why?
I think it would be a tie between Bentley and his obsession with p_graphy and Edwin and his gambling habits. Both are really hard habits to break and require constant work towards breaking. Both can do serious harm to a marriage if left unresolved.
Do you believe any of the characters should have continued to struggle with their strongholds considering they came to the altar and were prayed for by a man of God? Why or why not?
As Pastor Landris pointed out, bad habits take work in breaking. And while admitting you have a problem is a good start, one must constant seek to break that habit to change your circumstance.
Was Pastor Landris wrong for not counseling each person in his congregation no matter how long it took him to get to them? Explain.
I believe Pastor Landris or Johnnie Mae rather, was correct in pointing out that the pastor could not be everywhere every time a member needs his assistance. The same philosophy for any regular business or organization would apply here in that the CEO can’t possibly do everything. The CEO is supposed to be the face and the one leading those he has put in place to help ensure that the company is ran effectively and efficiently.
As Johnnie Mae also pointed out it would be feasible for him to meet with each congregation member if the church was small, but once the congregation grows to over 200 I think it abit too much to of pastors to meet with each and every member of a mega church. Consider for the moment TD Jake and his church the Potter’s house. The website mentions about 30k members, imagine if you will TD Jakes shaking every hand after just one service, he’d be there well into Sunday evening.
Not too mention the pastor had a family, growing family that warranted some of his time.
Discuss Daruis Connors and his various actions. Do you believe he was sincere in his feelings toward Fatima? Do you feel bad for him at all?
I think Darius was looking for something extra to have on the side. I don’t think he had any intentions on ever leaving his wife and would have continued the affair with Fatima as long as Fatima saw fit to continue. It’s hard to say whether or not he was sincere in his feelings toward Fatima, his actions (constant phone calls and her birthday surprise) certainly would lead one to believe he was sincere. I do feel bad for Daruis because he’s caught up in a web of deceit, he doesn’t respect his wife or the life they’ve built together.
What do you think is going on with Trinity (Faith, Hope, and Charity)? Do you believe people can truly have multiple personalities or do you believe it's merely something they're just making up?
It’s hard to speak on multiple personalities because I’ve never encountered anyone with multiple personalities, at least not that I know of. But as mentioned it could very well be a defense mechanism that shields from a bad personal experience as with Trinity. So, no I don’t think it’s something that is made up, not that it can’t happen. I am not sure what to make of what’s going on with Trinity. The answer might have been provided in that tablet Faith wrote in during the last session with Dr. Holden.
Which character(s) did you identify and/or empathize with the most? Why?
I’m not sure if I would fully identify with any of the characters. But if I had to choose it would be Desiree and Edwin because of their marital issues. Although hubby and I don’t readily have the same strongholds (Desiree – eating and Edwin – gambling) we do have our issues with communication.
Fatima Adams seemed to have a difficult time overcoming how she felt about Darius Connors. Do you think things could have been easier than she made them to be? What should she have done to get past her strong feelings for him?
I’m not sure if there were any additional things Fatima might have been able to do to make the break up easier on her, break ups are difficult in general. Although I would have changed my phone number since Darius was insistent on calling and leaving messages.
Was Bentley wrong in what he said to his wife about the books she read as well as the television shows she watched? Was he even justified in bringing it up?
Bentley was correct in the statement he made to his wife (Marcella) about the books she reads and his addiction to p-graphy (and not photography). I’m sure if you ask any woman that reads that type of fiction if they would consider it p-graphy and that would say no. In fact, until I read this book I would probably say no. But after reading how Pastor Landris broke it down to those words bringing images to the mind and causes some to use their imagination, I can understand why he felt justified in bringing it up.
Is there a difference in what Bentley was doing as opposed to what Marcella was doing? Why or why not?
I don’t think there’s too much of a difference in what Bentley physically sees and what Marcella reads. To put it plain and simple one uses words and the other are those words acted out.
In your opinion do you feel overeating should be included as a stronghold? Why or why not?
I’m abit indifferent on this, I can see how overeating would seem harmless to anyone, but I can also see why it is considered a stronghold. A stronghold in that some people find it a hard habit to break which takes away from their body being a temple God gave them.
What are your views regarding a person who works as much as Dr. Holden was? In your opinion, should working too much be considered a stronghold?
I think Dr. Holden was justified in his reasoning for working so much in that he wanted to provide for his family’s every need and want. But as his wife Avis pointed out, those material things mean nothing if he’s not there to share them. And yeah working too much can be considered a stronghold in that it took Dr. Holden away from what mattered most, spending time with his family.
Arletha Brown was said to be extremely religious. Is there such a think as being too religious or overly religiously? Discuss.
I’m not sure about Arletha’s situation. While I can understand her plight for perfection and getting into heaven, she really went over board. She was more concerned with her getting in and her path that she didn't see fit to help anyone else along the way. And she didn't believe in the church changing with times.
I think as time changes so should how the church operates and minsters to people. Churches want to recruit people, but what are they doing to ensure those people recruited establish and maintain a relationship with the church.
If you had to choose a sin or stronghold from this book as the biggest sin or stronghold, which would you choose and why?
I think it would be a tie between Bentley and his obsession with p_graphy and Edwin and his gambling habits. Both are really hard habits to break and require constant work towards breaking. Both can do serious harm to a marriage if left unresolved.
Do you believe any of the characters should have continued to struggle with their strongholds considering they came to the altar and were prayed for by a man of God? Why or why not?
As Pastor Landris pointed out, bad habits take work in breaking. And while admitting you have a problem is a good start, one must constant seek to break that habit to change your circumstance.
Was Pastor Landris wrong for not counseling each person in his congregation no matter how long it took him to get to them? Explain.
I believe Pastor Landris or Johnnie Mae rather, was correct in pointing out that the pastor could not be everywhere every time a member needs his assistance. The same philosophy for any regular business or organization would apply here in that the CEO can’t possibly do everything. The CEO is supposed to be the face and the one leading those he has put in place to help ensure that the company is ran effectively and efficiently.
As Johnnie Mae also pointed out it would be feasible for him to meet with each congregation member if the church was small, but once the congregation grows to over 200 I think it abit too much to of pastors to meet with each and every member of a mega church. Consider for the moment TD Jake and his church the Potter’s house. The website mentions about 30k members, imagine if you will TD Jakes shaking every hand after just one service, he’d be there well into Sunday evening.
Not too mention the pastor had a family, growing family that warranted some of his time.
Discuss Daruis Connors and his various actions. Do you believe he was sincere in his feelings toward Fatima? Do you feel bad for him at all?
I think Darius was looking for something extra to have on the side. I don’t think he had any intentions on ever leaving his wife and would have continued the affair with Fatima as long as Fatima saw fit to continue. It’s hard to say whether or not he was sincere in his feelings toward Fatima, his actions (constant phone calls and her birthday surprise) certainly would lead one to believe he was sincere. I do feel bad for Daruis because he’s caught up in a web of deceit, he doesn’t respect his wife or the life they’ve built together.
What do you think is going on with Trinity (Faith, Hope, and Charity)? Do you believe people can truly have multiple personalities or do you believe it's merely something they're just making up?
It’s hard to speak on multiple personalities because I’ve never encountered anyone with multiple personalities, at least not that I know of. But as mentioned it could very well be a defense mechanism that shields from a bad personal experience as with Trinity. So, no I don’t think it’s something that is made up, not that it can’t happen. I am not sure what to make of what’s going on with Trinity. The answer might have been provided in that tablet Faith wrote in during the last session with Dr. Holden.
I'm sure it's kind of hard to get the gist of the book from just the few questions I answered. I would recommend the book to friends as a good read. I would, however point out that this is one of three books with stories connected, and I think this was the second book of which I accidentally finished reading first. The first of the trilogy is Blessed Trinity and the end of the trilogy is Memory Serves. I'm currently reading Blessed Trinity with plans to read Memory Serves next.
Peace, Blessings and Laughs
1/11/09
Your Word is "Peace" |
 You see life as precious, and you wish everyone was safe, happy, and taken care of. Social justice, human rights, and peace for all nations are all important to you. While you can't stop war, you try to be as calm and compassionate as possible in your everyday life. You promote harmony and cooperation. You're always willing to meet someone a little more than halfway. |
Peace, Blessings and Laughs
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