The Face of a Friend

What does the face of a friend look like?  I am fortunate to have several friends in my life.  so I thought to day I would tell you about my friends, Dr. Seuss style.

 

I have good friends, new friends, old friends and some blue friends.

I have far friends, near friends, school friends, dear friends.

 

I can see some everyday, I can see some on vacays

I can work with them at school, and we can act just like a fool.

I have friends that are related, I have friends I wish I'd dated

 

I like sitting on their porches, in their chairs, their swings, their couches.

I love looking for good deals, I love when their laughter peals.

They may wear some weirdo shoes, skinny jeans, or shades of blues.

When I look into their eyes, I see truth and never lies.

I am sad to see one cry, and I hate to say goodbye

I love to hold them tight, and I hug with all my might.

They are short and they are tall, some are fluffy, some are small

No matter how you see my friends, I will love them til life ends.

 

They have my back, they make me smile, they always walk that extra mile.

If I ever were in jail, they'd be the ones who paid my bail.

When my life is torn apart, they can mend my broken heart.

They know my story in and out, and are still my friends without a doubt.

 

So tell me now or do you know....the face of a friend.....with a friendship glow?

You know....you have to be a good friend to have one.  Trust me, it is worth the effort.  I truly am blessed with the good friends I have in my life.    I hope you all have friends like these too.  If you don't....then you need to get out and get you some.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things That Annoy Me Thursday: Unable To Say Silly Words?!

Okay, so this isn’t really an ANNOYANCE per say.

After all, people have the right to make up their own rules for their house.

But.

I have to admit, it cracks me up when I hear that the word “fart” isn’t allowed to be used in a person’s home.

I mean????

What do they call it then?

Do they acknowledge that farts even exist?

If a fart does escape their clenched buttocks, what do they do? Continue on as though nothing happened? But what if it smells? Do they wordless take out some air freshner, spray it, and then go about their business?

I just don’t see what’s wrong with the word fart.

To the people who don’t allow the word to be used in their homes: never invite my kids over. Because they A) pass gas and announce it and B) if someone else passes gas, they’ll shout “Who farted?”

I don’t comprehend some people’s rules is all. I totally get if curse words aren’t allowed. But FART?

This word that we live in is weird.

Hodge Podge -Vol 94

What a great Hodge Podge Day.  It was Joyce's birthday this week so you need to hop over to her site and wish her a belated Happy Birthday before you go any further....no not really....read my answers first THEN go wish her a belated Happy Birthday.  Joyce was definitely on a roll with her questions this week.....and here they are:

1. What's the best and worst thing thing about growing older?   Worst first....my body is falling apart.  I have arthritis in my knees and now have to see the doctor on a regular basis....not just once a year for a check up.  The best thing about growing older is all the things I have accomplished, am accomplishing,  and still hope to accomplish (espcially when I retire in 2 years).

2. Autumn arrives this week in the Northern Hemisphere...what one thing do you love most about the fall season?   The colors....and I know you said only one thing....but I have to say.... and the smell (cinnamon, apples, pumpkins).  I love fall.

3. Speaking of fall...pumpkin seems to be flavoring everything these days-are you a fan? What's your favorite pumpkin flavored food or beverage?  I love pumpkin....I make a killer Gingerbread Pumpkin Trifle, I love pumpkin bread/cake, I love pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks.  I do refrain and treat myself occassionally....they have 49 grams of sugar and a grande one is 380 calories.  Ouch.  But you know the old saying...if it tastes good it can't be good for you.

 

 

 

Ingredients

2 (14-ounce) packages gingerbread mix

1 (5.1-ounce) box cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix

1 (30-ounce) can pumpkin pie filling

1/2 cup packed brown sugar (I used Splenda version)

1/3 teaspoon ground cardamom or cinnamon

1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping

1/2 cup gingersnaps, optional

Directions:  Bake the gingerbread according to the package directions; cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set aside to cool. Stir the pumpkin pie filling, sugar, and cardamom into the pudding. Crumble 1 batch of gingerbread into the bottom of a large, pretty bowl. Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread, then add a layer of whipped topping. Repeat with the remaining gingerbread, pudding, and whipped topping. Sprinkle of the top with crushed gingersnaps, if desired. Refrigerate overnight. Trifle can be layered in a punch bowl

4. Since we're on the subject of fall...what's the worst fall you've ever taken?  The day before the first day of school just shortly after moving to Rock Mills...I fell in a rabbit hole just off our carport.  I met the Rock Mills Volunteer Fire Dept that way....in my pajamas...early on a Sunday morning.  I looked like rip....my knee and ankle were both hurt.  The ambulance took me to the hospital.....and I was mortified.

5. If you could own a prop from any film what would you choose?  James Bond's Aston Martin.

6. What's the most interesting word you've read or learned in the past week?   I am an English Teacher at heart....eventhough I teach Spanish....it is still a language....and I am fascinated with words.  Quixotic - Extremely romantic and chivalrous and Sesquipedalian- One who uses long words.  I have a student who used this word on me this week describing himself.  I will be honest and tell you that I had to look it up...and yes, he was correct and he does....arrogantly.

7. When was the last time you locked yourself out of your house, car, or office? Was it a big deal?  It would have been a big deal.  I can't remember the last time I did this.  It is not something I do on a habitual/regular basis.  The last time I did the police let me in my car.  They don't do that anymore. 
 

8. Insert your own random thought here.  I love....and I mean LOVE pumpkin stuff.  With that in mind....did you know that the current world record for biggest pumpkin ever is a massive 1,725 pounds!  I don't know about you....but I find that rather impressive.  That would make a lot of pies, spiced lattes, trifles, bread, cake....

Hey, It's Okay Tuesday!

I got this idea from Glamour magazine. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things to be okay about. You're welcome to join in and do something like this on your blog. Doesn't have to be on a Tuesday either. Just make sure you link up and that the post you link up is a Hey, It's Okay Post.

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To think it’s awesome that a blind woman won on MasterChef. I don’t watch the show but I heard about it. It’s pretty sad that a woman who can’t see can cook better than I do.


To find it hard not to shop the Baby Sale going on at Gymboree. Natalie can still fit in 5T items so we can still shop the sale. But I have to hold out until Gymbuck Redemption.


To be embarrassed that a show like Honey Boo Boo is so popular. Way to go, America.


To use non-organic shampoo. It seems to be the thing for people to use organic shampoo now. No thanks.


To think the Gangham Style craze is odd. I feel like I’ve been doing that dance for years. I’ve always danced like a crazy person to music.


To have been shocked over Dan’s move on Big Brother. I’m still hoping Ian wins because he reminds me of Tommy.


To be surprised that people have already decorated their houses for Halloween. I get the fall theme but Halloween? There are people with fake gravestones and ghosts in their yards already.


To have checked these books out at the library. The Lego book is for Tommy. One of his current obsessions is the history of Legos. He loves the book.

Unending Devotion

About the Book:  Lily Young longs to find her long lost sister or will die trying.  Heedless of any danger, she searches logging camps and towns, posing as a photographers assistant.  And then she arrives in Harrison, Michigan and into the sights of Connell McCormick.  McCormick is determined to increase the fortune of his lumber-baron father and figures as long as he is living an upright life, that's what matters.  But when Lily arrives in town she upends his world, forcing him to confront the truth that dangerous men have gained too much power while good men turn a blind eye.  Vexing but persuasive, Lily soon secures McCormick's help, drawing them ever closer to each other.  Will standing up for what's right cost them both everything?
About the Author:  Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of The Doctor's Lady and The Preacher's Bride, which won th e2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award and the 2011 Award ofd Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers, and was finalist for Best Debut Novel in the 2011 ACFW Carol Awards.  She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog and Jody Hedlund.com.
My Thoughts:  This is the first book I have ever read by author Jody Hedlund and it definitely won't be my last. I was most impressed with her writing style and her descriptions of life in the 1800s. The plight of young women being dragged into prostitution of the 1800s is very much parallel to the human trafficking problem we are still experiencing today.  The storyline is very realistic as is the character development of Lilly, Daisy, and McCormick.  I felt as if I knew each of the main characters on a first name basis.  Unending Devotion is a well written historical mystery romance, which should satisfy most readers.
Blog Tour Schedule - click here to read what others think of this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Faithful to Laura: A Middlefield Family Novel

About the Book:  Laura’s Amish faith requires her to forgive, but she can only think of revenge.  Laura Stutzman leaves her Kentucky community for Middlefield, Ohio, with one purpose: to find Mark King, the man who pledged his love to her, then left. She can’t move on with her life until he explains why.  Sawyer Thompson wasn't born Amish, but has lived in their community for years. Now he must commit to the Amish church or return to the Yankee world. Having suffered loss at a young age, he understands Laura’s anger, but is determined to follow God’s will and forgive. As their friendship grows, Laura begins to let her guard down.  But new information surfaces about Sawyer’s past and threatens the couple’s budding relationship. Both Laura and Sawyer will need to release the anger in their hearts and forgive the people who’ve harmed them. As Laura struggles to trust God, can Sawyer remain faithful to Laura?

About the Author:  Fuller was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and now makes her  home in beautiful Geneva, Ohio. She has been married to James for 15 wonderful years.  They have three terrific children, three dogs, and an overwhelmed cat. They have also raised cattle, pigs, and chickens at various times over the years.  She started writing in 2000, and published her first short story a year later. Since then she has authored several short stories, novellas, novels, and have done a lot of freelance non-fiction work. She has also worked as an editor, has a Masters degree in Special Education, emphasis on teaching the blind and visually impaired, and a Bachelors in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, and has taught all age groups ranging from age 4 to age 18. A few of her favorite things: her relationship with Christ, chocolate (of course!), autumn, a satisfying book, good friends, a sense of humor, people who don’t take themselves seriously, haunting melodies, and NFL football.

My Thoughts About The Book:  I love Amish fiction.  I must confess that I have an addiction for  reading about this hardworking, God fearing group of people.  I love the language, I love the customs, I love it all.  This book was your typical Amish love story. Our main character girl has something she would rather forget in her past, the unlikely stranger comes into her life(also has something shadowing his past), and the guy chases girl down and wins her heart. The story line was easy to follow and I enjoyed this book tremendously. This was a great book for me to add to my library of books and I definitely will be recommending this to my Amish fiction loving friends.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishersas part of their Book Sneeze Blogging Review Program.   I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  Truthfully, I loved it!

Oklahoma State Fair

State fairs.

I love them.

Especially the food.

I mean, look:

That’s deep fried Kool-Aid. And my goal was to find it and try it. I was intrigued.

Here’s the thing though: there are so many vendors that sometimes things are impossible to find. Like deep fried Kool-Aid. I walked and walked and walked. I figured I had burned off the calories that I’d consume from deep fried Kool-Aid. I went up to another vendor and asked where the deep fried Kool-Aid was.

“Dunno. But can I interest you in an Indian Taco?” the guy asked me.

Tempting, but no. I wanted deep fried Kool-Aid! I walked some more and hoped that my Sketcher Shape Ups were helping to make my backside tighter. Probably not. Didn’t they get into legal trouble for saying that and then customers whined when their butts didn’t seem as tight as Jenny McCarthy’s?

I ended up getting this:

A deep fried Twinkie. It was delicious. (Last year I had deep fried Oreos. Also yummy.)

We took the kids on various rides. My Mom is here visiting so it was nice to have her around. Tommy wanted to do almost all of them. He loves the ones that spin.

Natalie isn’t tall enough for the ones that go fast so she picked a ferris wheel:

(That's Tommy with my Mom!)

I’m not a fan of heights so I tried to pretend that we weren’t high in the air.

Did I mention that we went yesterday? A weekend? Which meant people were EVERYWHERE. I thought we were in a recession! I mean, it wasn’t exactly cheap to go to the fair so how were people paying when so many are saying America is broke?

We went to some exhibits and found one dedicated to insects. Bees was among them.

“I hate bees,” Natalie announced when she saw this. “One stung me and I hate them now.”

I’ve always hated them. Mean bees that killed poor Thomas J. (“Vada, would you think of me?” “For what?” “Well, if you don’t get to marry Mr. Bixler..” “I guess…” And then Thomas J DIES!)

Natalie also got to ride a pony. She loves ponies.

“I want a pony!” she announced when we was finished with her ride.

I want a tummy tuck. Both things are probably NOT going to happen.

We stayed FIVE HOURS at the fair. With people all around us. But still, it was a blast. And maybe next year I’ll be able to find that deep fried Kool-Aid.

Or.

Maybe I can figure out where the booth is because we’re going BACK to the fair on Tuesday to surprise Natalie with Disney on Ice. (Everytime she sees the commercial she’s like, “I so want to go there!” and I’m like, “Well, maybe another time..”)

If not, the arena is across the way from the chocolate covered bacon and deep fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich…