yes. I got bored....or something....

so....I tried to discover things about myself...

You Are Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

You are kind, popular, and generous. You tend to be successful at anything you try. A social butterfly, you are great at entertaining a crowd. You are most compatible with strawberry ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

hmm...I'm detecting a theme with me and chocolate chips...

You Are a Chocolate Chip Cookie

Traditional and conservative, most people find you comforting. You're friendly and easy to get to know. This makes you very popular - without even trying!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

LOL....

You Are Chinese Food

Exotic yet ordinary. People think they've had enough of you, but they're back for more in an hour.

What Kind of Food Are You?

Ok, ok ok...last one....for now...(and thank you Ernie for sharing this page with the finger test, lol)

Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

Very popular, one of you is not enough.

What Kind of Candy Are You?

Verse of the Day Calendar Inspires Again!

"Now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating - to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of time." Jude 1:24-25 Message Version

So...as you know, we took Bug's car in and prayed hard....
Then we picked it up Saturday and learned that the whole problem had been a bad vaccume hose. How cool is our God???

Yesterday, we celebrated his mom's 60th birthday with stuffed shells and a hockey game...was fun....even though our beloved Sabres lost....rather tragic, but I'm sure we will get past it ;-)

and it's SUNNY in Buffalo on a Monday morning....
this has to be a good sign, right?

Oh yeah...and we picked out our wedding cake...it's very "us" unique :-D
and no...I wasn't able to confiscate his camera to get the pictures of everything (Christmas, Valentines, Weddings, and our adventure...)....he said he'd get to it later.....hopefully he means this week.....

Rainy Saturday All to Myself!

OK, so here it is Saturday, it's rainy, my roommate is in Greece for a couple of weeks traveling the trails Paul did (how freaking cool is that?? I hope she's taking a ton of pics and will let me share some)
Darryl has my car at work since his is at the shop hopefully being fixed so it no longer stalls at red lights...
so here I am....all alone with a computer, some thoughts and a ton of forced free time. (Sad when it has to be forced to use it....)

And really wishing that I had Bug's camera.... A) so I can share all these pics I keep promising; 2) so I can show off my handiwork! and d) I got "new" specs...
that was a trip....finally broke down and went to the eye doc.....I ask if I can keep my frames as I'm quite fond of them (I have a weirdly tiny head and adult sized frames don't fit...so I shopped forever and paid more than I wanted to for these, but they fit and they are cute so I wanna keep them dangit!) He tells me that it's possible....wise ehhhh....then he tells me that they have to be shipped out of NY, be put into a machine to trace the shape so the lenses can be cut (which is different from new frames how?) and then shipped back and there is a cost involved. So I'm thinking a few hundred and maybe I should pick new glasses...nope...$25. So I kept my little bronze frames....and now I can see again.
Dude....I didn't realize just how much my eyes had been compensating...I put my new eyes on and felt like I was walking on a platform....made me a little seasick but once my eyes realized "hey we don't have to work this hard!" it got much better and now I can see and my head doesn't ache, so that's gotta be something, right?

so I got up, brewed some creme brulee coffee, mopped the kitchen, vacuumed up what I didn't get a chance to do last weekend and put in a load of laundry. Later I intend to take a bath and give myself a manicure and pedicure....and wish I had a camera to share because I'm feeling mischievous and creative so my nails are probably going to come out fun.....

I'm also thinking that the saxophone needs to come out of the box today. Just before my surgery (Sept. and Kasey promises she's sending recovery pics for your laughing pleasure...but ya know....) I began playing again with the intention of switching from a vocalist to a saxophonist in our worship band....I haven't played a lot since high school (the heart issue that is no longer an issue (btw, did I ever share about that?) caused major problems trying to play so I didn't....it was sad)
but anyway, I started to play again and then I had to have my gall bladder out and well....playing a wood wind and having incisions in your abdomen do not go well together.....so I stopped again....but now I'm pretty much healed up with only the occasional pull from the scar tissue...so I think it's time to bring it out again....this should be fun.....anyone who has ever played a woodwind is shaking with laughter right now because they know how far gone my armature is...(and I'm not sure I spelled that right but for the non-musicians in the group it has to do with the muscles around my mouth that need to remain taught while I play and not allow air in to goof with the sound....doesn't take long for these muscles to relax and not hold as tight, which produces a whiny sound...hey you learned something!!)
but anyway....
playing should be rather interesting and aw shucks, I don't have blue tooth on any of these computers so there won't be any videos....;-)

well there's my "monster" post for a rainy Saturday....I think a bubble bath and a book sound good...right after some baked fries for breakfast (nope, I haven't changed) =Þ

May your day be blessed! May you hear God whispering your name in the wind, may you feel his hand on your face in the sun, may you see His working in everything you set your eyes upon today....May you be wrapped up in His arms like a perfcect down comforter and may your day be complete with JOY!

Yup!

Ever feel like life is a roller coaster? As I read a post about burning huts I thought to myself - yup. been there. ...and so has she....and I wondered why we go through the same fires over and over....and then I was reminded of what exactly the process of purifying gold is like...the gold is melted....then remelted...and again and again until all of the impurities float up and are skimmed away until it is pure and without spot....and God desires that for each of us...
I know I certainly wish there were an easier way....like a loofah and plenty of bath & body works bottles....and a hot bubble bath...yeah....that would be great....
but what would I learn? to be comfortable where I am rather than to strive to keep putting that foot forward.
We're taking Bug's car into the shop today....he just got this new job....and then comes the rain...but then I rejoiced....provision. Manna.
Amazing what God does...
and I'm ashamed to admit that most of the time I flat out miss it....
so here's to searching for the blessings.....

simple things

sunshine streaming through my window, creme brule flavored coffee brewing....knowing in just a few hours I'll see Bug....
yup....
Tater, this gonna be a good day ;-)

thanks ernie :-)

Now it works!
and hmm...yeah I guess this is accurate...

You Are a Ring Finger

You are romantic, expressive, and hopeful. You see the best in everything. You are very artistic, and you see the world as your canvas. You are also drawn to the written word. Inventive and unique, you are often away in your own inner world. You get along well with: The Pinky Stay away from: The Index Finger

What Finger Are You?

*ahem*

WAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Yup. That pretty much sums it up.
How amazing is our God???

Some Wonderful Thoughts

Hebrews 11:1:

NIV: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see

Message: 1 -2The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

KJV: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

John 14:26:

NIV: But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Message: 25 -27"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.

KJV: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.


Bible.com. Gotta love it....amazing how much clearer a verse becomes just by reading a couple of different translations.....God is just cool...now who will give me an Amen to that?

Frailty of Life

Friday afternoon as I walked to lunch there was a rather large commotion on the street - fire trucks, flashing lights and a bus....and then we saw the tarps being raised around the scene - a woman had been hit and killed.

The next day I was headed to do some shopping and meet bug for dinner and a movie and got a text from our friend Wendie...her uncle had been killed the night before in a freak motorcycle accident.

I started to pray for the families of these people - amazing how frail our lives can be - how we feel invincible and then in a heartbeat - we feel vulnerable and weak.....Thank God for his assurance....his blessed hope and salvation, so that we can walk through the dark days knowing that even if that bus is headed for us - we can say "It is well with my soul."

Five years ago, Phil Hassey played that song on his violin for my brother's funeral - and I can still hear him playing and what a great comfort it brought to my heart and still does this day. "When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say...It is WELL it is WELL WITH MY SOUL" (emphasis mine).

Amazing thoughts to hold onto....even in that "valley of death" we fear no evil.....

As I dragged myself from my warm bed to my freezing room this morning, I wanted nothing more than to go right back to sleep....but Monday waits for no woman! (and I've discovered that my bed gets proportionally warmer and more comfortable the closer it gets to being the time I need to get out of it.....)

So I grabbed my Bible and devotionals and set to work....and read of the amazing love and sacrifices that were made so that we could enter the promised land. I read a stern warning against neglecting the word of God and how fear and doubt kept the Israelites wandering - while Joshua and Caleb were ready to walk forward in faith and to claim their promises....they were held back by those who feared....
It encouraged me to keep stepping forward....to not let other people's fears and doubts stop me from claiming what is mine - to take hold of those promises and know that no matter what comes...It will be well with my soul.

*GRUMBLE*

Dude. It's frickin snowing today. what the snot?
It's April. there's supposed to be rain so we get flowers next month.
*whine* now I need some cheese.......ooh preferably cream cheese, with some roasted garlic, artichoke hearts and shredded parmesean....baked at 350 for 30 minutes and served with tortilla chips or bread.....mmmmmm
(yes, that's my recipe for garlic artichoke dip....)

It all becomes clear now...

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary:

6:00am - At last! I Go Pee! My favorite thing!
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
6:00 pm - They're home! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Diary:

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet.I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...

Adventure!! Part I

Pics to come....

We started the day with a yellow rose, croissants and a cashmere green tea chai latte....I then blindfolded my dear fiance and we ventured out!

Our first stop was the ToyTown USA museum in East Aurora - but because it's on the Fisher Price grounds - no cameras were allowed....It was so much fun! We watched a video on the history of FP toys.....and I watched Bug light up as he remembered playing with said toys....plus they had a mini hockey hall of fame, which is always a plus!

After that it was lunch time....so we headed to the Roycroft Inn (which is part of the Roycroft Campus....which we'll talk about in a little bit). He had artichoke saffron soup, I started with the French Onion....next came a grilled vegetable ravioli for him and an open faced snow crab salad sandwich for me....and what adventure lunch out is complete without dessert? Creme brulee for both of us *drool*

After we had sufficiently stuffed ourselves, we toured the rest of the Roycroft Campus, which was just downright amazing - we saw an old style print shop, all sorts of fun antiques, pottery, art.....and Darryl even debated Michelangelo (yes, I got a picture).

The Roycroft Campus is part of this wonderful artisan's guild, so there are all these (way too expensive for us...) treasures, wine crates, library tables, cube chairs, even an African tongue drum! (yes he played it ;-) )

Next stop on our journey through historic East Aurora was Vidlers 5 & 10...how much fun!! It is a true old fashioned five and dime store...rather packed since it was Saturday but still a grand adventure!

We were next going to Emery Park for a hike but it was a bit chilly and we were starting to get a bit on the tired side....so we headed home and took a nap and watched a bit of the Sabres game before I headed home and him to bed...

It was a great day.....I can't wait to show you pictures! I love that he's interested in all of this stuff too...sure makes planning an adventure much easier!!