Category Archives: Memes

Blog Meme

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Janeen at Our Story tagged me for this blog meme.

1. Do you like the looks and content of your blog?

Overall, yes. I don’t have the skills to really personalize it, and WordPress (at least the free version) doesn’t allow for much personalization, anyway. And I don’t think my husband would go for a paid site and paying someone for a design. But being able to change the picture header from time to time makes me happy.

2. Does your family know about your blog?

My husband and sons do and I think they look at it every now and then. I have mentioned it to me step-father and sisters and extended family, but I don’t know if any of them reads it. If they do, they’ve never said so.

3. Can you tell your friends about your blog?

I told several when I first started it. I know Carol drops in from time to time (Hello, Carol. 🙂 ) After a lot of wrestling I even mentioned it in our Christmas letter. I didn’t want to sound self-promotional, but then reasoned that if any of our friends and family had blogs, I’d want to know, and I hoped they felt the same way.

4. Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog?

I do usually go to that person’s blog at least once, sometimes I become a regular reader. On the weekly memes that tend to get more comments, I do try to visit the blog of every person that has commented on mine, but I probably have missed a few on busy days.

Edited: I realized after reading Bet’s answers that I had misunderstood this question. I do read a number of blogs of people that do not comment on mine, who either don’t know I exist or to whom I am just a little blip on the radar. 😀

5. Did your blog positively affect your mind?

I had to think over that one…..I think so. Knowing that anyone can take what you say any number of ways makes one more thoughtful about what to say and how.

6. What does the number of visitors to your blog mean?

Well, it means a lot to me that someone would take the time to stop in.

7. Do you imagine what other bloggers look like?

Not really, though sometimes I am surprised when I do see a picture of them.

8. Do you think blogging has any real benefit?

Oh, yes. I’ve seen people lifted up, encouraged, prayed for. I’ve read posts that made me laugh, made me think, made me worship and thank God. As far as my own blog goes, I am thankful for comments that indicate that someone was blessed by my sharing something that God has taught me.

9. Do you think that the blogosphere is a stand alone community separated from the real world?

No — I think most people are involved in the ‘real world” and the blogosphere is just one aspect of their lives.

10. Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?

Yes and yes.

11. Do you think criticizing your blog is useful?

I haven’t really had that, but I guess it would depend on what the person was saying and what spirit they seemed to be in. We should be open to constructive criticism, especially if we’re off-base Biblically. But most people (at least the ones that I encounter) would no more come to one’s blog and start criticising than they would come to your home and do so.

12. Have you ever thought what would happen to your blog in case you died?

Not until that question! At first it would probably be the last thing on anyone’s mind. But I imagine at some point my oldest son would post and tell everyone what happened to me. Then, since the WordPress version I use is free, I imagine it would stay up until WordPress decided to delete inactive blogs (I don’t know if they do that or not.) My husband has often told me I need to save my writing here, and I do copy some of the posts to Word documents. He might go through and save some things.

13. Which blogger has had the greatest impression on you?

Wow — that’s one of those questions that you’re afraid to answer because you don’t want to leave someone out. But I think that Barb’s sweetness and demeanor and genuine caring heart have had a great impression on me.

14. Which blogger do you think is the most similar to you?

I’m not sure…..

15. Name a song you want to listen to.

Any from my favorite CDs.

I have seen this meme around but can’t recall who has done it, so, if these folks haven’t and have the time and inclination to do it, I’ll tag Barb, Bet, and DeAnna.

Thursday Thirteen #20: 13 Whys

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I’ve been hesitant to post this Thursday Thirteen because I don’t want it to sound like I am ranting or griping and have people leave my blog feeling grouchy. 🙂 I hope you’ll take it in the sense of lighthearted bemusement.

1. Why is it that when I want ink to stay on clothing, such as a name on a label, it washes out or fades, but when I want to get rid of an ink stain, I can’t?

2. Why do people roll their grocery carts in the middle of the aisles?

3. Why do cars speed around me only to slow down and then exit the highway right in front of me?

4. Why does the computer act up the most when I’m doing something essential but only have a few minutes?

5. Why do catalog companies think that if I place an order with them, I might order even more if they send me 50 more catalogs in the next 30 days (only a slight exaggeration)?

6. Why do cell phone users feel that they have to answer the phone in the middle of whatever they are doing when it rings?

7. Why isn’t there something to click on the computer so I can highlight a whole line that I’ve accidentally capitalized and change it back to lower case without having to delete and retype the whole thing?

8. Why do coupons for cereal require you to buy three boxes? I don’t have room for three boxes.

9. Why do makers of ads, especially online ads, think that making their ads more irritating will make me want to buy their product?

10. Why do I remember something I needed at the store and forgot to put on the list just after I get home from the store?

11. Why hasn’t someone come up with better a way to package graham crackers? Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t open a package along the folded edges — I always end up tearing it and then can’t get it closed back up.

12. Why, when people are walking while talking with someone else, do they stop walking and keep talking when they reach a doorway? It’s uncanny how often I find myself behind such a situation, then have to wait until they move on or interrupt them.

13. Why does the phone seem to ring most often when I am in the bathroom?

Oh, well. Life goes on, and we have to keep things in perspective and not get too worked up about things that we can’t change. But maybe someone will see this and figure out better packaging for graham crackers. 😀

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Wordless Wednesday: Let It Snow

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See more Wordless Wednesday pictures at 5 Minutes For Mom and the Wordless Wednesday HQ.

Works For Me Wednesday: Healthy Eating

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wfmwheader.jpgShannon, hostess of WFMW at Rocks in My Dryer, suggested that since so many were talking about needing to lose weight or make healthier eating choices, we should do a themed WFMW today sharing our tips on healthy (low-fat, low-calorie, low-sugar) recipes.

I didn’t really think I had anything. I don’t think a lot of what I make is excessively high-calorie, but it’s not really low-calorie either. There’s baked chicken or fish — toss in the oven with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and minced onion and a little margarine — but to me that’s kind of blah. OK for every now and then but nothing to get really excited about. I think that’s one thing that makes the dieting seem so depressing to me — having to eat like that all the time. So I am really looking forward to reading and gleaning from the other recipes and tips posted today.

I did happen to think of a couple of side dishes I make that would work for this theme.

Vegetable Medley

1 1/2 c. fresh broccoli cut into small pieces
1 1/2 c. fresh cauliflower cut into small pieces
1 1/2 c. baby carrots, sliced
1 T minced onion
1/2 c. water
1 T. instant chicken bouillon

Mix all ingredients. Microwave on high 3 minutes. Stir. Microwave another 3 minutes. Stir. Adjust cooking time according to how well-cooked you like your vegetables. We like our between crisp and mushy.

This is really an adjustable recipe. I don’t measure it out like that, but I was trying to give some kind of idea of amounts and proportions. You can use any kind of vegetables in any amounts that you like. I imagine it would work fine with frozen vegetables, though you’d have a longer cooking time, of course. For a really quick side dish, I’ve even poured a can of Veg-All into a bowl, added a little minced onion and instant chicken bouillon, and microwaved.

Fruit and Yogurt Salad

I have a dear friend who is a whiz at just throwing together really tasty and simple things, and once at her house she mixed some fruit, some vanilla yogurt, and sprinkled it with granola, and it was wonderful. A few months ago at a baby shower brunch I was asked to bring some kind of fruit dish, and made this. A couple of ladies really liked it and asked for the recipe. I told them it was basically any fruit + yogurt sprinkled with granola, but they wanted specifics. So this is the combination I made that day.

1 can tropical fruit, drained
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 can pineapple bits, drained
2 bananas, sliced
1 small container low-fat vanilla yogurt
Granola or granola cereal

Mix all ingredients except granola and refrigerate. Sprinkle granola on top just before serving.

You could use fresh fruits, of course. My husband has somehow developed an allergy to most fresh fruits, but can tolerate canned or cooked, so that’s mostly what we have on hand. And most canned ones come in a “lite” version packed in juice or water rather than syrup, and that’s what we use.

Also on this theme, a few days ago I posted a link my son sent me called “What Does 200 Calories Look Like?” (though I did wonder if that should be “do” rather than “does.” But it has a page full of pictures of how much of different kinds of foods add up to 200 calories. It’s an eye-opener.

I’m off to Shannon’s for more great healthy eating tips!

2007 New Year Meditations

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ny-meditations3.jpgLaurel Wreath has invited us to share our New Year Meditations, the hopes, dreams, and goals we have for 2007.

This post has been simmering on the back burner for several days. I had some other obligations and deadlines this week, and then when I did sit down to write about this, I couldn’t quite think through what I wanted to say. I’ve been experiencing a bit of brain fog with a cold this week. I think what I’ll do is divide my thoughts into categories.

Spiritual Goals:

The thoughts that come to mind are “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (II Timothy 3:14) and “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18a). For instance, years ago the Lord dealt with me about spending regular time in His Word. Once that is settled, however, the temptation some days is to just drag my eyes down the page to get that part of the day done and then go on. I need to keep in the Word, but I also need to stay engaged mentally, to remember I am there to meet with the Lord and have Him speak to me, not just fulfill an obligation. Then through His Word, both read on my own and preached and taught about at church, He continues to develop my relationship with Him, shows me things that need to be dealt with, areas in which I need to grow, etc. We probably never have a virtue or character trait down perfectly in this life: we will always need to nurture and cultivate those traits. And we continually need our “blind spots” to our sin and selfishness revealed. So spiritually I want to stay the course, keep in God’s Word, keep growing, maturing, and to gain ground over my “besetting sins.”

Personal Goals:

Incorporate some form of regular exercise into my life.
Learn and incorporate healthier and more moderate eating.
Get back into sewing. I have fabric and patterns (I used to work in a fabric store) and I can rarely find things I like that fit well and are affordable.
Make a winter reading list. I read all the time, anyway, but I discovered with the Fall Reading Challenge that it only takes a little planning and making a list to include some of those books I’ve “always wanted to read some day.”
I tend to be “task-oriented” and need to be more “people-oriented.”

Family Goals:

There are specific areas I am praying about for each member. I want to continue to treasure the time I have with them. My oldest is likely going to “leave the nest” some time in the next year or so. I am sure that will be a shock to my system.

House goals:

Do some sorting and organizing in the attic and shed.
Make or buy curtains for the family room.

I am sure new things will come to light as the year progresses. But these will keep me busy for a very long while. 🙂

Thursday Thirteen #19: Life’s Little Pleasures

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Life’s Little Pleasures

1. Fresh sheets on the bed.

2. The scent of cookies baking.

3. Good books.

4. Music.

5. Friends.

6. A great church.

7. Days when you don’t have to set the alarm clock.

8. Fast-food breakfasts.

9. Chocolate.

10. Seeing pink and purple in the sky through the trees outside my kitchen window at sunrise.

11. A task completed.

12. My husband’s grilled specialties for dinner.

13. New calendars

Bonus: Baby toes.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Wordless Wednesday

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See more Wordless Wednesdays or submit your own at 5 Minutes for Mom and the Wordless Wednesday HQ.

Works-For-Me Wednesday: Keeping on top of kitchen clean-up

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wfmwheader.jpgSome years ago when I was very sick and out of commission for several weeks, and my poor dear husband had the household duties heaped on top of his work schedule and caring for the kids, he implemented something that I thought was a great idea. Every night following the usual kitchen duties of cleaning up after the meal, loading the dishwasher, wiping off the table and counters, etc., he would do one “extra” kitchen job, like cleaning the hood over the range or cleaning the microwave. That way all those extra little jobs didn’t pile up into the need for a big major overhaul which he didn’t have time for.

I don’t do that every night, but I do it occasionally, and it does help maintain the kitchen in a better level of cleanliness.

For more helpful workable tips or to link to your own, see Rocks In My Dryer.

Looking back meme

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I saw this fun-looking meme over at 4:53 am (a wonderful craft blog! I get inspired just looking) in which we post the first line of the first post for each month from our blogs. I have only been blogging since July, so I only have six:

July:

“I am a Christian 40-something stay-at-home mom. “

August:

“Last week was a busy week!”

September:

“I saw a new meme over at Rocks In My Dryer originated by Catez:”

October:

“Lauren at Created for His Glory is hosting a ‘Bloggy Tour of Testimonies.'”

November:

“That which we elect to surround ourselves with becomes the museum of our soul and the archive of our experiences.”
—Thomas Jefferson

December:

“A pretty easy feast today!”

 

Let me know if you play along and I’ll come “look back” with you.

Friday’s Feast #124

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Appetizer
How do you usually celebrate on New Year’s Eve?

We usually stay home and flip back and forth through the various New Year’s programs on TV. With New Year’s Eve being on Sunday night this year, I am sure we will have a church service, but Pastor doesn’t like to keep us out late then — he doesn’t want to send us out on the streets right when the drunk drivers are heading home, too.

Soup
Name one thing unexpected that happened to you in 2006.

No major big surprises, but one unexpected thing was starting a blog. I don’t know how long I had been thinking about it before I finally took the plunge, but I have enjoyed it immensely!

Salad
Where was your favorite place that you visited in 2006?

We didn’t really go anywhere this year — which is fine by me! I’m don’t travel well and prefer to be like Beth in Little Women, the cricket by the hearth. Everyone else can travel and come tell me about it and show me their pictures. But I did enjoy visiting a little with my good friend Valorie. When we moved to a town 40 minutes or so away, I thought we’d see each other all the time. But we don’t, sadly. Whenever I do go to that town and call her on my cell phone on the way to see if she has time to get together, she’s always very gracious. 🙂

Main Course
What resolution is your top priority for 2007?

I don’t really do resolutions per se, but I do like to sit down and take stock and make goals. The first goal would be to maintain one goal I have had for years: to read the Bible every day and grow more into what He wants me to be. One new goal I really, really need to make is to incorporate some kind of regular exercise into my life

Dessert
Using just three words, describe 2006.

Peaceful, normal, uneventful. That may sound boring, but we experienced an upheaval right at the end of 2005 with my mom’s death, and other years have had other calamities, so yes, I’ll gladly take peaceful, normal, and uneventful this year! 🙂

You can read more Friday’s Feast entries (or participate youself! It’s fun!) here.

(Photo above courtesy of the stock.xchng)