Random Dozen

It's time for another random dozen, this one seems harder than the ones in the past.  Or maybe the questions are just digging deeper into our thinking.  lol  Just click on the picture above and join the rest of us over at Linda's.

This picture is a clarification for question 1:


1. How do you feel about "Gladiator" sandals, also called "Roman" or "Jesus" sandals? A fashion yea or nay?
Don't care for them, just give me flip-flops.



2. What is your favorite pizza?
pepperoni, and bacon with lots of cheese, is my favorite, but never get it.  Usually just go with pepperoni, or cheese alfredo.

3. There are plans in the works to sell roughly 1,000 items from Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas. This means you could buy Picard's chair for your family room. If not a Star Trek item, what prop, background, set, etc. from what TV or movie would you buy if you could?

[Ex: Hurley's "I Love my Shih tzu" shirt from LOST, the plantation home "Tara" from Gone With the Wind, or Tracy's tambourine from the Partridge Family.]

Can't think of anything. I really don't pay that much attention to the props.  Maybe since I took Makayla to see Last Song last Saturday something from that movie.   Since Miley was in it, she would totally love it.





4. Name a local food or restaurant that your area is famous for.
Well if we were still in the Savannah area that would be easy.  Paula & Sons or Mrs. Wilkes.  But now that we're about an hour away from there, not really sure.  The only one I can think of that is locally owned is Fordham's Farmhouse, and that's exactly what it is.  It's southern home-cooking and really good. 

5. What is your current favorite snack?
If it's movie night with the kids we have to have popcorn with M&M's. 



6. Hypothetical: You are required to be a reality show contestant. Which show would you choose based on your probability of success? (You cannot choose "none.")
A. Dancing with the Stars
B. Biggest Loser
C. Survivor
B. Biggest Loser definetly.  Can't dance so that one is definetly out, and survive in the wilderness.  LOL
Definetly could lose the extra weight, just don't know if I could handle all the screaming, even though this season does seem to be calmer.

7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being uninhabitable and 10 being cleanliness that meets the standards of OCD, how clean is your vehicle's interior?
I would say 8, we try to keep it clean but there is always paper or empty cups in there somewhere.


8. It doesn't feel like Spring until  the flowers start blooming and the birds sing early in the morning.

9. Something that made you laugh really hard recently is ____.
Can't really think of anything specific.  Maybe watching Biggest Loser last night and they drug Jillian through the mud puddles and put mud in unspeakable places.
10. Tell me about a goal you're working toward.
losing weight.  Would like to lose 70 lbs by Christmas

11. Share a thought-provoking or inspiring quote this week.
Something that my Mom told me Monday she was referring to one thing and I took into a situation that I'm facing.  That when asked why she waited so long to rely on God about a health problem.  She said she had to get to the point that she finally had all she could take.  And that's when most of us really rely on Him is when we're at our ropes end.

12. Name one thing that you do as a parent that you absolutely know will make your kids happy. If you're not a parent, feel free to substitute "friend" or nomenclature that works for you.

I try to be there when they need me to really listen to them about something and only offer advice when they ask for it.  That's more for the older two.  Makayla I guess what really makes her happy would be one on one time.  Whether it be a movie, playing a board game together or just snuggling and reading a book together.

Easter Weekend

First was the Easter egg hunt at church.

 

Emily had no problem at all knowing what to do. 

Then we did their baskets Saturday afternoon.

Kenneth was excited at all the fishing tackle he got in his basket.

Brianna just had to be different from the others.

 

Then they found eggs at home later that afternoon.  Makayla had to look in each one to see what kind of candy was in them.Easter day after church.  They were so ready to be done.

Their all growing up so fast.

Congratulations......

Congratulations goes to Quilly.  She's the winner of the Blog Sparks giftpak. 

Thank you to all who entered. 

Quilly I will be sending you an email shortly, so I can get your mailing address.

TSMSS.........Healing Rain

UPDATE on Shawn : Surgery Sunday morning 8:00 then in ICU until at least Monday.

Sunday at noon update on Shawn (my neice's husband)  Out of surgery. Recovery for an hour.  Few complications breaking threw the barrier covering pus lining. Did 2 procedures will be knocked out until tomorrow and long recovery ahead.

If anybody would like to email them directly my neice is Brandi and her email is bran7779@yahoo.com

Not sure how often she checks it but I do know she is able to send updates from the hospital. 


First I want to ask for prayer for my niece's husband (Shawn).  He was admitted to the hospital yesterday.  This is what we know so far, I'm putting it exactly the way she has updated us so I get it right.
  Pulseox was low, coughing up nasty green stuff &; in a lot more pain. Right lung closed off and, left lung has gotten infected. On oxygen and other meds now. Not going home until he's better. Thanks for the prayers!
Lung specialist came in this morning. Right lung has pus covering more than 75% they are deciding on surgery or a tube to remove the pus. Not likely it will be the tube. Surgery then ICU overnight.




Now for my TSMSS.  I am looking forward to listening some great music today.  Join us over at Amy's .  You will truly be blessed.





Also don't forget to enter my giveaway that ends tomorrow.

Flashback Fridays............Birthdays Memories

Have you not heard about flashback friday?  Each Thursday Linda posts what this week's flashback will be.  Then on Fridays we post our answers.  It's a great way to think back to younger days and remember things that we may have forgotten over the years.

What were birthdays like when you were growing up? Were they a big deal or understated? Did you have parties? Get to choose what or where the family ate for dinner? Are there any particular birthday traditions that you remember? Is there any birthday that stands out (good OR bad!), either due to the events surrounding it or due to the particular present(s) you received?

Of course I don't remember my first birthday but I've seen pictures.  So I know I had the traditional cake that I stuck my hands in.  I shared my birthday with my oldest brother.   I was born the same day as he on his 11th birthday.   So you would think that if there was something special about them I would remember since it was both of our birthdays.  
My 29th birthday my oldest brother actually called me and told me happy birthday.  Don't know why that one year maybe it was because it was his "40th".  He will be 60 this year so I guess I need to make sure he knows that he's getting old.  lol
Don't really remember birthdays being a big deal growing up.  I'm sure we probably had cake and ice cream.  I was number five of six children.  We all had the offer of having a party on our 16th birthday.  I can remember my oldest brother and my one sister's 16th birthday.  I guess because of the pictures that were taken keeps the memories alive.
My 16th birthday I do remember having a few friends over and had cake and ice cream.  But as far as any special gifts I don't remember any.  I received my hope chest one year but I'm not sure if it was birthday or Christmas. 

Now that I'm older I say I'm too old to make a big deal of my birthdays. 
But I do try and make my kids birthdays special.  But I won't go into any details in case thats for another flashback friday.

Verbal Abuse IS abuse however you spell it.

I wasn't really sure where to start with this.  But it is something that has been on my mind lately.  I know of at least one person that is  married to a possibly verbally abusive spouse.  I say possibly because I don't live with this person but, I do know what they have told me in confidence and honesty.    I may not always have the right answers but I believe I'm a good listener, and am willing to pray for your situation.  I know the female side of us may try to figure out who it may be.  But it is not a fellow blogger or a relative to me.  I feel like in some way there may be others out there and hopefully this will help them to seek help if they need to. 
I have been told that there is no such thing as verbal abuse only physical abuse.   But that is wrong.  I know for a fact that being verbally abuse does exist.
First is a list of questions to even see if this pertains to you or someone you know.  Your partner might have behaved as though these things were okay, even though it's obvious that they aren't okay...:


Do you feel that you can't discuss with your partner what is bothering you?

Does your partner frequently criticize you, humiliate you, or undermine your self-esteem?

Does your partner ridicule you for expressing yourself?

Does your partner isolate you from friends, family or groups?

Does your partner limit your access to work, money or material resources?

Has your partner ever stolen from you? Or run up debts for you to handle?

Does your relationship swing back and forth between a lot of emotional distance and being very close?

Have you ever felt obligated to have sex, just to avoid an argument about it?

Do you sometimes feel trapped in the relationship?

Has your partner ever thrown away your belongings, destroyed objects or threatened pets?

Are you afraid of your partner?


 Being called names by your spouse:  Any negative form of name calling is unacceptable. If you feel that it is a put down, then it most likely is. There are names that are obvious and, without question abusive.
  Using words to shame:  Critical, sarcastic, mocking words meant to put you down either alone or in front of other people.
 Yelling, swearing, and screaming:  This is called  the “walking on eggs shells” syndrome because you are living with someone who goes verbally ballistic for very little cause.
  Using threats to intimidate:  No threat should be taken likely, even if your spouse tells you they are only joking, especially if it causes you to change behaviors or to feel on guard in the relationship.
 Blaming the victim:  Your spouse blows his/her top and then blames you for their actions and behavior.
  Your feelings are dismissed:  Your spouse refuses to discuss issues that upset you. They avoid discussion of any topic where they might have to take responsibility for their actions or words.
 You often wonder why you feel so bad:  You bury your feelings, walk on egg shells and work so hard at keeping the peace that every day becomes an emotional chore. You feel depressed and have even wondered if you are crazy.
Manipulating your actions:  The persistent and intense use of threatening words to get you to do something or act in a way you find uncomfortable. This form of verbal abuse is common at the end of a marriage. If your spouse doesn’t want a divorce they will say whatever it takes to play on your emotions, to get you to stay in the marriage. All in an attempt to get you to comply with their desires, regardless of what is best for you as an individual.

Everything I've read suggest counseling together, or seperate.  Even if your mate won't go to counseling with you, it will help your self-esteem to seek christian counseling for yourself.

First Random Dozen of April

Well ya'll know the drill by now.  Linda  posts 12 questions every Tuesday and we link up with our answers on Wednesday.

 1. Define a great relationship.  Honesty and trust. 

2. Why is it called a "drive-through" if you have to stop? (Real question: What was the last food/drink you purchased at a drive-through?)
Two soft tacos, and cinnamon twists from Taco Bell.

3. As I type this, the Butler Bulldogs are getting ready to play in the NCAA championship game. Every Hoosier is hysterical about this except me. So in honor of the Bulldogs ... what is your favorite breed of dog? (I tried.)

Yellow lab or golden retriever.  I just think they are very pretty dogs.  And I'm not a big dog lover at all.

4. If you had to move to a state besides the one you currently live in, where would you move?  I haven't really ever thought about it.   I would stay close to the coast as I am now.  All of my family except for one brother is in Georgia so it would have to be where I could drive home often.

5. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?   I am thankful for the way I was raised in a good christian home.  The only thing I can think of is we would have been closer.  Not in age but as in doing things together so we would still be close now that we're older. 

6. Who's the funniest person you know?  Not really sure about that one.  In the blog world the first person I thought of was Quilly.  And in real life my grandaughter Emily, she is always happy.  The more you laugh the harder she will laugh.

7. Did you get enough sleep last night?  Probably not because I truly enjoyed sleeping in last week while the kids were out on spring break.

8. What's the first thing you thought about this morning?
  Is it really time to get up? 


9. Grilled or Fried? --HONESTLY
grilled--- HONESTLY   Other than last night, about once a month or less I splurge and fry me some chicken livers.  I know most will say gross and so does all of my family.

10. Are you afraid of the dark?  nope can't say that I am.

11.When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? a school teacher. 

12. If you had one word to describe yourself , what would you choose? honest

Don't forget to enter my giveaway, ending Sunday.