Legally Bald...

Today was glorious...and relaxing. Started off a tad early and has ended a tad late, but such a relaxing and random day...

+ Wake Up (8:00am)...little ealry for me, but I had to feed some dogs.

+ Wedding Dress Shoppping (NOT for me...for a friend--that sounds like a lame line, but seriously for a friend).

+ Lunch at BJ's (Cheese Pizza and Salad...yum-o)

+ Lounging at Jen's

+ Wal-Mart (to get Jen's oil changed)

+ Dinner at Rubios with JLA (chicken taco and guac...gotta love the guac...not to be confused with guam...)

+ Back to Wal-Mart to pick up Jen's car.

+ Still at Wal-Mart to get new rear tires on Jen's car. We were told they were "legally bald" and Wal-Mart was not liable if we "got into a car accident and died because a tire blew out". They made Jen sign a paper and everything!

**Note to me to check my own tires.

+ Still at Wal-Mart reading "In Touch" or some Hollywood slap in the face magazine. Jen trying to be a mom and listen and read at the same time...

+ Car is ready. Men in the tire center at Wal-Mart are slightly weird. Friendly...but still weird.

+ Driving Around... haha

+ McDonald's ice cream cone time...

+ Jen's house...more lounging

+ More lounging...laughing...talking...lounging...laughing...

+ You guessed it...more laughing...

A glorious day.

Can we do this again, minus the Wal-Mart visits?

Quote of the Week #2

Contributed (once again) by Jennifer Anderson:

Jen: (In hallway doing laundry): "Oh Damn It"

Becky: (Laying down on bed) "What Happened?"

Jen: (Struggling with clothes in dryer)"What didn't happen? My life happened."

Thanks again J.lo for contributing to the quote of the week.

"haha" :)

Good For The Soul....

This is an old picture--but the people in it I adore and appreciate so much. Had a great time hanging out tonight with two good friends--both of whom I don't get to see all that often, but it's always fun when I do. And our hang out tonight happened randomly, but I'm glad it did. My time with them was good for my soul.

Good friends. Good conversation. Good tea. PTL.

"Hot Sticky SWEET"

Did you know when a package says that is has 10 grams of sugar that is equivalent to about 2 1/2 teaspoons of sugar. So that means if somethings has 20 grams of sugar, that's 5 teaspoons or almost 2 tablespoons. That's a lot depending on what you're eating. I never knew how much sugar was in something because it's always calculated in grams...but now I know! I don't know if this will change my eating, but it's always good to be informed. You learn something new everyday!

Represent...BNJ

Thanks for a great time tonight ladies! PTL for cherished friends and good food.

"I'm Pro Honesty..."

I read this on another friend's blog and began pondering it myself. I see it as full of truth, and it really got me thinking.

What's our role as Christians in holding others accountable for their sin? Not casting judgement upon them (God is surely capable of handling that on His own--he doesn't need my help), but calling out those we love when there is evident sin in their life.

I know when there are sin issues in my life I need to be called on them--and I have been. And at the time I don't like it--because I feel guilty or ashamed and seem to always try and defend myself--but I need it. And it helps to refine my character and relationship with my Heavenly Father.

So this is what I read and am pondering... (Most of this was in response to the Ted Haggard situation, but I see truth in it beyond that one instance).

1. Christians, and not just pastors, do not feel free to disclose sins to anyone.

2. Christians, including pastors, sin and sin all the time.

3. Christians, including pastors, in evangelicalism do not have a mechanism of confession.

4. Christians and pastors, because of the environment of condemnation of sin and the absence of a mechanism of confession, bottle up their sins, hide their sins, and create around themselves an apparent purity and a reality of unconfessed/unadmitted sin.

5. When Christians do confess, and it is often only after getting caught, they are eaten alive by fellow evangelicals — thus leading some to deeper levels of secrecy and deceit.

Thoughts?

Dance Party

I think we need to have another one...sometime soon. Real soon.

Blue Light Special...

My morning started off with a very loud reoccuring noise and a bright flashing blue light. About 9:00am this morning I was sleeping contently in my bed, when all of the sudden the fire alarm (not the smoke detector, there is a difference--the fire alarm in MUCH louder) started going off in my apartment. Blue lights were flashing and the noise was close to making my head pound. I opened my eyes, not sure what was going on or what I was supposed to do, but something told me I should get up and exit my apartment to make sure it wasn't a legite fire.

It was just a drill--and security apologized for not informing me in advance that this was going to be taking place. They said I could go back into my aparment but the noise and lights were still going on. I went back in, laid back down and put the pillow over my head for about 5 minutes until it all ceased.

I thought for a moment I was at K-Mart during a blue light special when I saw the light flashing.

What a way to start the day...

"Litte Miss Sunshine"

Have you seen it? I watched it tonight with a few friends and thought it was a pretty good movie. I laughed a lot. There are a few F-bombs scattered around, but other than language, it doesn't have much trash. It's a good movie--depicts a dysfunctional family which is a reminder to everyone that no ones family is perfect. No ones. So I would reccommend seeing this movie. I think I might buy it.

Quote of the Week

Quote of the week: This week's quote contributed by Jennifer Anderson.

People on the corner holding sings saying "Honk for Peace"

Jen: "I don't like it when these people are out here. Don't honk for peace Becky"

Becky: (honks for peace :)

Jen: "Becky, why did you do that? There's never going to be peace on earth"

Tim: "Not with that attitude there won't be!"

All: Bust up laughing!

It was great. Thanks J.Lo for your contribution.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Today was fun. Celerating the birth of our Lord with family and close friends. Here are a few highlights:

--Lots of food. And lots of chocolate.

--My best friend j.lo and my brother's best friend Brandon both came by and hung out with my family for a while. They are family, so it was fun to have all 6 of us together again. Reminded me of high school days...and riding to school in the 72 Chevelle...in the winter...with no defroster...okay, enough said...

--Jen and I went on our annual Christmas Wendy's food run around noon. Tim came along this year. Can't beat french fries and a frosty on Christmas!

--My mom and I beat my dad and brother at two games of Ukuer. Not one game but two.

--My whole family (dad, mom, tim and I) watched the entire Cowboy vs. Eagle game while we sat by the fire. We haven't all watched a football game together in years. Tim would explain each play to me and would yell loudly at the TV when there was a bad play or a call he didn't agree with. It was a lot of fun!

--Played a massive game of spoons complete with six people and my mom who would scream every time someone went to grab a spoon. It was great and provided lots of laughter. And only two injuries occured: Jen hit her head on the window sill and my dad got his finger smashed. Gotta love Spoons.

--My parents cat, Sam, does not like my brother. She's a moody cat to begin with, but she really doesn't like Tim. If he walks by her she will, without a doubt, hiss at him. I can be holding her and he will try and pet her and she will bat him with her paw. It is truly one of the funniest things ever. I laugh every time.

--Good conversation and hang out time with my friends Scott and Nina at Scott's house. It's great to get together late on Christmas night, after all the festivities and eating has ceased and just relax and enjoy the company of cherised friendships and good friends.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Yesterday Was Christmas Adam, Today is Christmas Eve...

I am starting to get my love for Christmas back. I have a friend who loves to tell me that I hate Christmas--this is not the case at all. The past two Christmas' have not been the best for a few reasons, but I have higher hopes for this Christmas and tonight, Christmas Eve, was a good start.

Church and singing of Christmas carols. Good Food. Lots of laughter among the family. Lots of Diet Pepsi (or Pepsi One as my grandpa likes to buy). Time spent with my two lovely cousins. And of course Christmas presents...

Tonight I received:

--A car duster (props go out to my grandpa for that one. But, really who uses a car duster? It truly is the thought that counts and that's why I smiled as I opened this gift.

--"The Joy of Cooking" Cookbook - Newly Revised! Props go out to grandma for this one. She tells me this is one cookbook every woman should own. I guess I am now officially a woman.

--Electronic Sudoku! I love Sudoku

--Scrabble - I don't own this game, but it's a classic to have on hand. And since Eric stole mine, I'm glad I got another one :)

--A DVD - A Beauitufl Life

Tonight was fun and I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Though it did seem strange arranging with my brother and parents what time I was going to come over in the morning to my parents house to open gifts. I've always lived there, so there was no need for arranging times. My brother said 9am and I laughed. This suggestion was coming from the man who would hardly ever get up before 11am on any given day. We agreed on 10:30am. That's a little more like it for me :)

Gotta go set out the cookies and milk for Santa...

Do Something

I was reminded today that love is verb. A verb is an action word. Thus love involves action. Thank you my friend for reminding me of this.

87 Years Of Wisdom

Yesterday, my grandpa turned 87 years old. Now this man has more knowledge and wisdom in him than anyone else I know. Not only is he wise, but he is still loving life--working, mowing the lawn, enjoying spending time with his wife (as he ALWAYS tells me that the best decision he ever made in life was to marry my grandma--he loves her deeply and what a blessing that is to see!) and he's always buying little things for his grandchidren and making sure we're stocked up on paper towels, toilet paper, kleenex and Dove soap--all of which he buys for us. I know it can seem strange, but he loves doing it and loves to give to people. He is easily the most giving person that I know which is probably where my mom gets it too.

He's taught me so much about so many diverse things. He teaches me about the stock market, baseball, investing, real estate, buying a car, what kind of guy to date, how to make really good mashed potatoes, and the importance of having a good attitude about everything--and I mean EVERYTHING. And he does. Whenever I ask him, "How you doing Grandpa?" he always replys by saying, "I'm doing great--couldn't be better. I never have a bad day." And he's serious. He tells me the only way he could have a bad day is if his wife left him or if someone in the family died--but other than that nothing could get him down.

My grandpa's goal is to live to be 105 and I think he just might. I can't really describe how much I love my grandparents, but I know I'm thankful that the Lord called me to a job in Fresno, so I'm still able to see them every week and continue to glean wisdom from them.

Thank you Jesus for grandparents and the blessing they are.

"Tim, stop turning the light on!"

I miss my brother. Just tonight I called him but he was at work so he threw his phone to his best friend Brandon to answer. If I couldn't talk with Tim, Brandon would surely be my number two choice. Afterall, Brandon is pretty much like my second brother.

So I didn't actually get to chat with my bro, but I just wanted him to know I missed him. Now considering him and I are both adults, both living on our own and in different cities, I still miss seeing him and as weird as it may sound I miss him coming into my room and flipping on my light while I'm sleeping at 2:00am when he would get off work, just to "say hi". Often Jen would be staying the night too, so she can vouch for how much that urked us! Oh wow...but those are the memories I have and the memories I miss.

Over the 22 years that I've known my brother, he has taught me a ton. He wasn't really the super protective, "I'm going to beat you up if you mess with my sister" type, but I always knew he loved me and when it came down to it, he would do anything for me. Anything. He truly cares for people, is so easy to be around and LOVES to tell dumb jokes and bust out in random songs (hmmm, maybe that's where I get it from...) He is the one who taught me all I know about football, would force me to play video games (Royal Rumble, Mortal Combat, Madden 97 and Halo) just so he could play against me and win every time and he let me drive his 72 Chevelle Malibu, even after I backed it into another car. Oops. Now that's one loving and forgiving brother.

Siblings are the only people in life that can truly understand the dynamics of one's family, considering they are a part of the same one. Tim and I are SO different in so many ways, yet we have our similarities. He will always be the one who can make me laugh, even when I'm crying and the one I call when boys are stupid and I need an honest opinion about whether or not I had a right to be upset about something.

Christmas will be here soon and I'll get to see my brother. It's fun to catch up some and just hang out like we did on summer days when we were younger and couldn't drive yet. We don't get to pick our family members, but if we did, I would say that I would still pick Tim. He's one of a kind and a HUGE blessing to me and our family.

True Dat...

"Love is...you before me.

Marriage is...making somebody else's wants and needs your priority."

These quotes come from someone who is married--and how true they are.

I think marriage can be a beautiful thing when these two things are the goal of both the husband and wife.

I started a prayer list a few months back of people who are getting married, so that I would remember to pray for them in their season together as they prepare for marriage (not necessarily as they prepare for the wedding, but rather prepare for the marriage. And there is a difference between these two things...a BIG difference.) And this list has grown tremendously within the past two months. I think I counted that I added on 9 couples in the past 8 weeks.

And the question for me remains...am I ready to make someone else's wants and needs my priority? To always put them before me? Hmmm...

You understand, right j.lo?

Retraction

A friend of mine pointed out to me that I contradicted myself throughout my blogging. In one of my most recent blogs I wrote about how I don't like the term "ex-boyfriend" and I try not to use it, but use other ways of describing guys I once dated. The post before that I wrote about how I found out that various people read my blog and I said including, "family, friends, ex-boyfriends..." There is the contradiction. I should have said, "guys I once dated" instead of "ex-boyfriend". Wow, this all sounds really confusing--not my intention of it at all. Long story short...I'm sorry. I'll try and be more consistent with my wording in future blogs.

Finish The Sentence

Finish the sentence...

I don't know...where I'll go to grad school.

I talk... under my breath sometimes .

I love...good dark chocolate and taking a nap on a rainy day.

My best friend...is funny, spicy and knows how to love others beyond the surface.

My first real kiss... made me really really nervous

I hate it when people...don't listen.

Love is...worth it.

Marriage is...a big commitment.

Somewhere, someone is thinking...what am I going to have for dinner tonight?

I'll always... be afraid of hippos.

The last time I cried was because... I had a hard conversation with someone I care about.

My cell phone... rings a lot!

When I wake up in the morning... I have to pee.

Before I go to sleep at night... I listen to music and do sudoku.

Right now I am thinking about... how hungry I am.

Babies are... a miracle.

Today I... went to the gym and almost fell off the treadmill.

Tonight I will... write Christmas cards.

Tomorrow I will... work and do some Christmas shopping.

I really want... to be a radio DJ someday. That would be awesome!

See I told you to stay tuned...

Random thought I had. Go with me here...

Today I was talking with a friend and somehow the conversation of ex-boyfriends came up. And I came to the conclusion that I really don't like the term "ex-boyfriend". The term seems to have such a negative conotation and it makes many people cringe as they remember hurt and pain from past relationships.

Then I got to thinking, what other word could you use to describe someone you used to date but no longer are. There is always the safe route and just refer to them as "friend" (that is if they still are your friend--I've been blessed and in my pervious relationships we've always come out as friends). But then does "friend" really adequately describe what once was? Then there is always the option of saying, "This guy I used to date..." but then that too doesn't seem right--doesn't do the relationship justice.

And really the technicality of what you call someone you once dated doesn't really matter--it's just that the term "ex" seems harsh and unfriendly. In many cases the term "ex" is appropriate because the relationship that once was did not end well. Not so in my case--I don't want to use "ex". When talking about someone I used to date I prefer to say "My friend ___________ that I dated for a while..." That may just cause more confusion, but it's a lot more friendly feeling then saying "ex-boyfriend".

Are you still with me? Our society does dating so wrong and people end up so hurt and broken--never wanting to be in a relationship again. It doesn't have to be that way--and I've been blessed to experience the right way of doing things. Not necessarily the hurt free way of doing things, because I think anytime you invest in something and it doesn't work out, there is an element of sadness/hurt, but it doesn't have to end with such deep rooted pain.

These are just my thoughts...all jumbled and kind of random, but I hope it gives someone something to chew on.

It's Been A While

One reason I like to blog is because I love to look back and read my previous blogs. Time flys by and I look back and think "Wow, was the last time I blogged really in October?" And I'm pretty sure if I had any blog readers, they are no longer with me because of the lack of posting. I always think that I will be better at blogging on a more consistent bases, but then it just doesn't happen. Part of the reason is because I'm still not 100% sure if I'm blogging for myself or for others. I guess I could do both--but if I was blogging for others then I would feel bad because I have been slacking--okay, enough said about that...

I have found out that there are a wide variety of people that have told me they read my blog. Friends, family members, ex-boyfriends, people in other countries, co-workers and I'm sure a few other random people. There are always people who read your blog that you will never know about...it's kind of creepy in a way...but also kind of cool.

I'll once again make a vow to try and be better at blogging. This post is a start. Right now I'm at the point where I feel like I have a lot I could blog about, but just not sure where to start. Stay tuned for more to come soon...(and by soon I mean with 2 days...)