Holy Name-Calling

I think that on some level we are all guilty.


We don't cuss. NOOO-sirree-bob!! We know better than that. But we DO throw out some pretty creative names, when we get stirred up.

You may be asking... Sarah, What's so wrong with that?!




Well, I'll tell you - the problem is that in trying to get creative with our name calling, and yet still getting out our frustrations... we end up sounding like 7-yr-olds on the schoolyard, angry because someone won't give us back our dodgeball.


"You're a stupid head!"

"Am not, meanie face!"

"Are too, Turd nugget!!"

"Loser bucket!"

"POOP MOUTH!!!"



I mean really... it gets kind've ridiculous. And though it's COMPLETELY entertaining (if you're not on the receiving end, that is), I think we should kick it up a notch. Let's try broadening our vocabulary and calling people names they will either 1 - not understand and thus, have no appropriate, equally effective comeback for; or 2 - they'll think we're complimenting them and be totally thrown off. Either of the two is fine with me, really, so here are a few words, along wit their definitions, that may help you in your next verbal sword-fight.


#1 - Is someone being mean? Try these words, instead -

Duplicitous [doo-plis-i-tuhs] : adj. Given to or marked by deliberate deceptiveness in behavior or speech.

Knave [neyv] : noun. an unprincipled, untrustworthy, or dishonest person.

Nefarious [ni-fair-ee-uhs] : adj. extremely wicked or villainous; iniquitous.


#2 - Is someone being rude? give these a shot -

Contumelious [kon-too-mee-lee-uhs] : adj.

Contumely [kon-too-muh-lee] : noun. 1. insulting display of contempt in words or actions; contemptuous or humiliating treatment; 2. a humiliating insult.

Indecorous [in-dek-er-uhs] : adj. not decorous; violating generally accepted standards of good taste or propriety; unseemly.


#3 - Just some other fun ones for you to try out -

Caitiff [key-tif] : adj. Despicable and cowardly.

Odious [oh-dee-uhs] : adj. highly offensive; repugnant; disgusting.

Flagitious [fluh-jish-uhs] : adj. shamefully wicked, as persons, actions, or times.



Okay - that's enough. If I keep going, I'm afraid one of you will use these against me, for some reason. Not that I would EVER give you a reason to (No never... right?!)


Alright, then. Have fun - and remember... if you just say to yourself that this person is a _____, then no one's feeling's get hurt. But if you say it to their face, you just might (okay - you totally will) cause some problems - both for you AND that person.

Let's just keep the Holy Name-Calling to a minimum, shall we?







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Junior Jinglers

When I was younger, I was somewhat forced into playing handbells with our "Junior Jinglers" handbells choir. (why do they call it a "choir"???) And when you turned 13, if you were really good you got to move up to the Teen Tintinnabulaters (sp?) and compete in state-wide, and then national competitions.


Some of you may be wondering - other than age, what was the difference in the two?

The difference between the two? WHOA - let me tell you.

In the Junior Jinglers, I had to stand on a step stool in order to be seen by anyone over the big padded, navy-blue-fabric-covered tables in my oversized robe, be able to reach my handbells, and also be able to see the color coded highlight marks over the notes on my music so I knew when to swing the bell in my LEFT hand, when to swing the Bell in my RIGHT hand, and when to switch handbells with the other ones on the table. (I played the little, higher note bells... so there was a LOT more action up on my end!)

But in Teen Tintinnabulaters - the only highlighting you were allowed to do was to let you know when to do a two step spin turn all-the-while ringing your handbell and then softly quieting it on your shoulder. (And even then the highlighting was majorly frowned upon by Pastor Smile-to-the-crowd-but-scare-the-little-handbell-players-with-your-scowl... we called him Pastor Tom for short.)

Ah yes - handbells have now become a lost art form. One that I GRACIOUS accept (and pray fervently) to never return.

As for Pastor Tom - don't say "fart" around him. BIIIIIGGG no-no on that one. Otherwise, you'll get sent out of Handbell practice, like you're being sent to the Principal's office, and schooled on your role as a Pator's Kid, and how your mouth shouldn't utter such obscenities. No joke. Just ask my Big sister - April.

PS - Don't EVER pick up the handbells without wearing gloves - it's like suicide to your hendbell career. Next thing you know, you won't be allowed to unpack them from the boxes, for fear that you'll clank them together - chipping the most essential handbell and ruining their sounds FOR-E-VER!!! FORREEEVVVVERR!!! (yes - I was just referencing The Sandlot, there)

Army Wives

For those of you counting with me... only 3 MORE DAYS until the Season Premier of Army Wives.




I LOVE this show!! It's sooo good. If you've never watched it, give it a shot. If you HAVE seen it... then you know how excited I am about the Season 1 marathon on Saturday, running up until the new show on Sunday!! Anyone in for a girl's night? Well, by girl's night I more-so mean girl's "Saturday Afternoon", but hey - who's keeping track, right?!



Alright, ladies... buckle down and get ready. It's gonna be a doozie!!! And if you're like me and REALLY impatient... here's a sneak preview of the Season 2 Premier:



http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/army-wives/army-wives-video








Check it out!!

Boredome sets in...

This week is CRAZY-INSANE boring at work. Most everyone is gone. It's just me and two other guys - and of course it would be the two other guys that are the quietest! I have not a SINGLE thing to do, unless the phone rings (because then I get to answer it - WOOHOO!!). This is nuts!!



Thank GOODNESS it's already Wednesday. Only 2 more days to go - and I'll actually have work to do Friday... it's timesheet day. :-D





PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give me something to do!! With a vacation 3 weeks (less, now) away, time is already screeching to a halt. Now - with even LESS going on - I'm going LOOPY!!!





And now - to quote a great movie... possibly one of the greatest of all times:





"I've got Cabin Fever."



"I'VE GOT IT TOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"



*queue music*







Just for those of you who haven't had the pleasure - that's from the Muppet's Treasure Island.











Someone - please spare me the pain... if you have a heart... entertain me, somehow!!!

Austin's Antics

My little dog is growing up. He's not so little anymore... see here:

Here's the shot the breeder posted on the site, of him (his little spot on his bottom is how we picked him out!):

And here are some shots taken just DAYS after we got him:

The cutest puppy ever!

Too nervous to come out, at first.

"Wow - Hey, Mister... you're tall!" Sitting next to BIG Uncle Luke.

He makes friends fast - sitting on Mal-mal's lap (he looks like he's smiling!).

Look how little he is jumping up at his Momma!

NOW let's see how big got in another 4.5 months:

He's HUGE!! And the best part - he's not even done growing, yet!!! He's growing like a weed, man!

Isn't he SUCH a cute puppy?!?! When i can get my internet to allow me, I'll upload some videos of him in action for you.

Love y'all!!

Vacation, here we come!!

I'm SO ready for our vacation!! We're leaving June 24th, and returning around... uh... July 2? Something like that. I am SO excited!!!

We are going up toWisconsin, to see McStudly's family, and possibly up to his Grandfather's cabin in Minnesota. Plus - we're taking Austin, so the kids are looking forward to that, from what we hear. And if Austin understood that he'd be running amongst lots of open land and playing with kids, then I'm sure he'd be really looking forward to it, too.

So - Austin loves to ride in the car. If I had pictures, I would post them, but I haven't taken any of him in the car for some time, now. He loves it! It's all about watching the cars and trees and people pass that just keeps him staring out the windows. He does lay down sometimes, but as soon as he hears or sees the tip of something, he's back up and at the window, staring it down! This 17 hour road trip is going to be a blast with him, I'm sure. (PLEASE tell me you sense the sarcasm in there somewhere)

So I called the Vet the other day (after I got pulled over for tags that expired on Friday - WOOPSIE!! Just got a warning though, Cory... I batted my eyelashes, and pulled my shirt down just a bit... SIKE - we all know the pulling the shirt down wouldn't get me anywhere. ha ha... and of course we know I'd never do it!), and I'm still wiating a call back about what we can give our little pup.

Apparently, they have all kinds of sedatives. It really depends on how drugged up your want your dog. I mean - do you want him passed out the entire time... do you want him to just be sluggish and relaxed, etc. And then you have to decide if you want this to last for the duration of the trip, or just for the middle part... blah blah blah. SO I will let you know what is decided, but we're REALLY hoping it's not too pricey. I mean... can't we jsut lock him in the trunk or something?! (JUST kidding... please don't call the NY Animal Police on me). You really jsut have to decide between the MaryJ type sedative effects, and the Heroin type sedative effects. Hard choice, really.

Well, our trip is only about 21 days away (3 weeks exactly!) and I'm SO EXCITED!!! I can't wait to be there!! Well, really - I can't wait to NOT be here! I just need to get away. I'm SO ready!!

BRING IT ON!!!

Here's the fam we're going to see:

These are Kyle's little brothers, the mini-McStudlies - Wyatt (left) and Tynan (right).

More pics coming - waiting for them to load...

Progress

Okie Doke-

In my first blog, I challenged myself to improving a lot of things about... well... myself. I got a lot of great comments from it, both online and in person, and have tried to really "apply" the advice I've been given. So let's take a look back and see how I've been doing, shall we?

I'll mark Green on the things that I feel I have improved, and Red on the things I can't say that about without lying... hopefully there won't be much red. Let's see:

#1 - Housekeeping
Okay. So I started off really strong, and then slacked off a bit again, BUT I'm back in high gear. The house looks great (AND this is AFTER I had a "party" at my house this weekend. GO ME!!). The only bad thing right now is more dishes (it's amazing how how you can't fit NEARLY as much as you thought you could into a single dishwasher load! And I've done two since Saturday night!). BUT since McStudly is at home today, he's supposed to be catching up on that (since this is a marriage and a partnership - it REALLY comes in handy for these kinds of things!!). As for Laundry, I have done LOTS of loads, lately, Kyle has thrown in a few, too, and just last night, I finished all but ONE basket of folding. :-) So... we're well on our way. Now, in all honesty we're probably only HALFWAY done everything (we've got TONS of clothes!), but that's still improvement, right? So... as we're going through things, we're setting aside things we don't wear or that don't fit, so we can finally get rid of them and have a normal sized wardrobe (and so that I have an excuse to go shopping again. It's been SOOO long and I miss it!). The house doesn't smell like I have a dog - I mean... you can't tell. :-D That's FANTASTIC to me!! The bookshelf is finally organized. The kitchen looks great (minus the dishes, that is). The bathroom is nice and neat (as long as McStudly keeps wiping up his lil' stubbles off the sink in the morning - great job, Sweety!). The spare bedroom could use a little more work... maybe a lotta more, BUT it's still pretty organized. :-)

#2 - Quiet Time
This is embarrassing. :-( I'm not very good at balancing my time. I have done better, so I suppose I COULD put it in green, but I haven't gotten to where I NEED to be with it. I've gotten great at praying more, for the most part, and I do more research on the Bible, etc, BUT I don't really sit down and just focus on God and read the Bible and meditate on it. And THAT'S where I need to be. It's like I skip the whole relational part of it. I've got the research, and the talking down, now I need to get better at the focusing and the sit-down-and-shut-up part of it. But that's SOOOO hard for me!! (No peanut gallery comments, please). It's just not something others can teach you - you have to figure out that kind of thing on your own. And it's not easy. But BOY am I glad that my God so patient. And BTW - I'm a FIRM believer in the fact that God has a sense of humor - Lord knows I provide him with PLENTY of entertainment. ;-) I'm a good laugh, for him, and I'm okay with that... but he wants more than a laugh and a big mouth who doesn't listen. And that's where I'm not doing so hot.

#3 - Money
We're doing WAY better!! We've started doing a "cash allowance" type of thing. We each get the same set amount of money for a two week period. That's it. Now, we didn't do so hot with our Memorial Day weekend, but in my opinion - Holiday weekends are more expensive, so it's all good. We were both okay with that. So... all is well. We're a little tight this week, because of it. But we'll probably take out a bit more to cover for the fact that it WAS a Holiday weekend last weekend. So... no worries. Next weekend means we get our new allowance! WOOHOO!! Just FYI - the allowance is for eating out, etc. Not as much other things. Neither one of us go shopping, really. And if we do, we run it by each other before we buy anything, really. The rule is really only for anything over $100, BUT we kind've do it anyways. We keep each other in the loop on money, so neither one of us can blame the other! ha ha - it's worked so far! Also - we've started a Credit Check Monitoring Program with our bank (because USAA rocks my socks!) and we're learning a LOT about what effects what. I've ALSO learned that you have to track things down to have them removed, even if the allotted time has passed for them already (which some people didn't know - check your credit!! But it's SO important to know this kind of stuff, and I'm glad we're figuring everything out. :-) Also - we're saving up to buy a house this summer (hopefully)!! No more "new car" talk. If I get a car, it'll be a "New-to-me" car, and it won't be this year, most likely. Probably next year or so... But to sum up - our debt is REALLY lowering (still waiting on that economic stimulus check, Dubbya!) and our savings will soon be piling up, as well. :-) So it looks to me like we're on our way!

and FINALLY... (drumroll please)

#4 - Exercise
Woohoo!! So I'm not like running 12 miles a day or anything crazy, BUT I'm doing better. Austin is getting good walks, most days, and I sometimes even run with him a bit. He's also getting walks with McStudly, when he's not working, and he's LOVING life! I plan on pulling out the pilates again, now that the house is pretty clean (though I was HOPING to wait on that new carpet... it may take a little longer for that than we thought) and manageable. I would LOVE to get a Wii and Wii fitness, but I'm not seeing that happening anytime soon - especially with the progress we've made and are making in the Moola Arena. But... I'm slowly feeling better about myself, and I KNOW the dog is happier than he was!! ha ha ha. I've also been trying to balance out my eating. If I DO eat something not-so-good for me, I try not to eat as MUCH. And I've been throwing in some salads before the other food, to help fill myself with something healthier before the bad stuff, and then not stuff myself until full, but eat until just past satisfied (I'm not disciplined enough, yet, to stop AT satisfied). So... I think all is going well.


Alrighty - so that's my update. How have YOU been doing in these areas?! Let's be honest, people. It feels good - I promise!!