Bon Jovi still rocks!

So begins the amazing night! Mandy and I went downtown last night to behold Daughtry and Bon Jovi in the same building. In my opinion, that means way too much 'hotness' in one place. :) Our outfits where thought through for a good week, because you have to look your best when meeting such royalty!





















Daughtry is amazing! I think he is one of the most talented singer to come out of American Idol. The man can sing! And he is quickly learning how to put on a concert. He has a good band with him. Chris did a fun vocal thing with a bull-horn, very creative.

















OK...Bon Jovi rocks! I've always like this band and still do. Their new stuff is just as good as the old stuff. And I loved that they sang just as many old songs as new. That made me very happy :)

Ricky is simply an amazing guitarist! Him and Jon have great stage presence and engage the audience so well. Jon also knows how to sweat through a jacket and three shirts!

Why do I love Nashville? You can go to a concert and see more than the band on the ticket. Last night, we saw not just Daughtry and Bon Jovi; Big and Rich and LeAnn Rimes stopped by to sing with Bon Jovi!

Basically, the night was awesome! I have no voice today and I think that is how it should be after a rock concert. Why leave a Bon Jovi concert with a voice and perfect hair? And yes, that is in reference to the lady who sat next to me at the show. I don't understand how you can be at the concert and stay in your seat! Oh well, her loss. Mandy and I took full advantage of standing and singing at the top of our lungs. :)

Finally caught up and ready for more

Last week during my favorite show The Office, a friend stopped by to visit. I gave up on watching the episode after a couple of minutes and said I would watch it online later. I finally watched it last night. Michael was back in form and Kevin cracks me up. "It's nice to win one." HA!

I'm ready for some more American Idol. Tonight the contestants tackle Andrew Lloyd Webber. I heart The Phantom of the Opera! But I advise the singers to not go there. No one does it like Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. Michael Johns was probably the only guy who could handle those songs. The girls have no one worth of those songs.

Speaking of singers from American Idol, I get to see Chris Daughtry on Thursday night! OH! I'm so excited! AND...Bon Jovi...need I say more?

Recovery time

I write this while still in my pajamas, at 12:30PM! I love Saturdays like this one. I'll get up and run some errands soon but for now I will enjoy relaxing on the couch, surfing the web and watching my kitties sleep. Speaking of kitties...

Sugar is back home after her spaying and declaw. She has slept for most of the time she has been home, which is good. If she is asleep, Sugar isn't jumping up on furniture and down to the floor. The vet gives you a sheet of paper outlining precautions for your declawed and spayed kitty. "Minimize your pet's movement during the first days after surgery. Keep them on level ground." I laugh at these suggestions! How do you keep a cat from climbing and jumping?!

My friend Buddy invited a couple of people down to his house for dinner and a movie last night. We had yummy lasagna and watched Lars and the real girl. Interesting movie, good acting by Ryan Gosling. If you are up for a quirky and off-the-beaten-path kind of film, rent Lars and the real girl.

The wind has picked up outside. I'm watching the trees across the street sway back and forth. Must be a storm brewing up. Guess I better get moving on those errands: Pay overdue fine at library, check out a book from there, visit Goodwill to find a shirt to wear to the Bon Jovi and Daughtry concert on Thursday, and find a baby shower gift for a lady I used to work with.

Must be hormones

This morning is a sad one. Sugar, my youngest cat, is at the vet getting spayed and declawed. Why so sad? Well, first off, I miss her already. Sugar will be at the vet until tomorrow sometime. Secondly, while making the bed this morning, I started crying. Sugar always jumps up and attacks the covers as I'm trying to smooth them out. So, when I went to make the bed this morning...I cried.

I think hormones are playing into my sad state of mind. I don't cry too easily. This morning, I was a basket case! The tears started to flow right as I walked out of the vet's office. People must have wondered what was wrong as they passed me on the road. They probably thought some tragic thing had happened. If they only knew the tears were because I just dropped my kitty off at the vet!

Weird night

Many times last night, I woke up with strange things doing on. One time, no twice, just one was stronger, I woke up to a weird smell, like food cooking. I don't remember what it smelled like but it was very strong right at my bed. When I stepped away from my bed, I couldn't smell a thing. The scent was localized to my bed. It was weird.

Then I woke up one time feeling like I was not alone. I walked about the house, through the hall and into the kitchen, then the bathroom. Just a strange feeling. I don't know.

A couple of times I woke up just staring at the closet, expecting something to happen. I don't know what was going on last night. It was a restless night for me, and I was left with a strange feeling this morning.

I hope the restless night doesn't affect my day at work. I'm training a couple of people and that takes a lot out of me.

Puppy therapy

As my friend Mandy has said, "I believe playing with puppies can be a therapy!" I agree with her. Last night I was at a friends house watching the NCAA championship game. Brandon has two new puppies and they are adorable! Look at this picture and tell me those aren't adorable puppies!



Bonnie and Clyde licked my neck and face, making me giggle. It was like heaven!

Sunshine not rain finally!

Yesterday and today have been beautiful days! I tried to get dad to take a walk with me since it was warm and sunny. It didn't happen. My dad has been in the house for eleven days battling the flu. He is still weak. I hope he is better soon.

The trip home was a good one. I was able to spend time with mom and both brothers. The only time I spent with dad was when sitting on the bed next to him. It is a rare thing to spend time with both my brothers, so it was nice.

As much as I enjoyed seeing my family, I missed Nashville. This is my home now. I missed my friends, the church services, my kitties. I always miss my kitties. My mom doesn't understand how I stay in Nashville so much and not come for a visit. Well, it's because my home in here. I can't help it. I like my life here.

Have a happy, sun-filled day y'all!

Various things going on today

Right now I'm singing along with Bono to U2's With or Without You. Awesome song! It makes my day when a great song comes on the radio.

After work today, I'm heading to Kentucky to visit the family. My last trip up there was at Christmas, so I'm overdue a visit. My dad has been battling the flu this past week. I hope he is feeling better by now. He came home from work last Wednesday and hasn't returned yet. That's a long time out!

Now, I'm rocking it out with Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. Two songs in a row that rock! Great day! Michelle and I head banged to the last part. hehe

Random story: There we were sitting at Bible study last night, being all super spiritual, you know? A Lowe's delivery truck drives down the road in front of the house. The driver then proceeds to back up once he realizes he can get out that way or turn around. Shouldn't the dead end sign have tipped him off?! We make a comment on the annoying beep from the truck being in reverse. Not three seconds after that - BAM! We hear crunching noises. Yikes! Not good! The driver had backed up into one of the lady's car! We think it will be totaled. The hood was in a V shape right down the middle. Poor girl!

I'm pathetic!

My coworker, Michelle, got flowers today for her wedding anniversary. They are beautiful wildflowers and daisies. I'm jealous! So, to be the pathetic, single and lonely woman I am...the flowers are sitting on my desk to make me feel better :)

Now, back to the mundane accounting work set before me...

Another random post

One of these days I'll get back to writing meaningful, thought-provoking posts. For now though...

???

Huh?!

Unpatriotic

Call me unpatriotic if you must, but I did not care for Kristy Lee Cook's rendition of Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA on American Idol last night. She can't sing, she rarely hits the correct note - her voice is usually just under it.

The problem with saying I didn't care for her song last night is people take it as I'm dogging the song. I LOVE that song! Lee Greenwood wrote an amazing lyric with that song. Kristy Lee Cook knew she had to pull this song out to rally the troops behind her. Her only fan base is redneck, country music-loving people. I'm a listener of country music, so I can say it.

She is a nice girl but I just don't like her as an American Idol winner.

On the other hand...David Cook rocked it out with Billie Jean. OH, yes, he sang that song. And he completely rocked it! Don't worry, it wasn't Micheal Jackson's version. I can't remember the arranger's name, but I loved it. David Cook is becoming the front runner for this season and I think he has a very good chance of winning it all.

Quote to ponder

This quote came from an email I read from a website email group. It made an impression on me and would like to share it with you. I don't know where this saying came from, the email writer did not give a source.

Beauty only attracts attention, but personality captures the heart.

Those few words carry a powerful punch when meditated upon. Think about the friends and loved ones in your life; isn't it the personality, the character, the inward man that attracts you year after year? Physically beauty is only skin deep and its affects are fleeting.

It's like major surgery!

Imagine with me: I have Boots, my older cat, pinned between the couch and my hip. My left palm cups her chin while my fingers reach up to pull the bottom of the eye down. My thumb has wrapped around to the top of her eye, pulling it open. My right hand is holding what Boots sees as an instrument of torture, an eye drop medicine. After a few failed attempts to get the timing down, I'm able to get a single drop in Boots' eye before she claws her way out of my arms. (Wipe forehead...only two more times today to do this.)

Boot had a visit to the vet yesterday and found she had an eye infection. Now, I get to be the mean mommy who holds her down and force something in her eye. Boots doesn't care too much for the whole thing.

Interesting part? Sugar, my younger cat, seems to forget who Boots is by the time we return from the vet! Last night was filled with Sugar hissing at Boots and then her running away to hide. Can we say short-term memory?

New glasses

Well, what do you think? I like them a lot! I'm all stylin' and stuff ;)

And, yes, my hair has grown very long. I'm considering growing it out a couple more inches then donating to Locks of Love.

My babies

I have to share some great pictures with you of my babies...and I mean my cats. Until, or if, I have children, Boots and Sugar will be my children. I take way too many pictures of them. But isn't that what parents do? ;)

They have separate beds yet they love to snuggle into one! I'm just amazed they stayed still long enough for me to snap these pictures. Boots looked smaller than Sugar, don't be deceived. Sugar loves to plant herself where she finds comfortable. Sugar is laying partly on Boots. I don't think Boots minds though.

My favorite part of the second picture is Sugar's paw lovingly stretched across Boots. So cute!

Well, no wonder!

Have you heard the report of pharmaceuticals in our water? Yep, it's true. This story tells you all about it. I'll give you some time to read it...I'll sit here and wait...go ahead and read it.

Are you back? Hope you read the story because I'm not focusing on a recap; I'll bring up a few points. I think it is interesting for this to come out in a study since our society is so addicted to pain killers, mood adjusters, hormones, etc. I think our over-indulgence of pills is affecting our children and environment.

Think about it: If our children are drinking this water, how has that changed things in their bodies? I wonder if we can attribute it to the increase in food allergies? So many children suffer with mental issues like autism, physical issues like diabetes. Has this development contributed to it?

And I wonder if we can attribute changes in animal and plant life we have recently witnessed to this find? The study says they found these medicine levels in fish.

One part of the study struck me funny, although it shouldn't. It's what type of medicine they found in high levels in different areas of the country. I guess I found it somewhat indicative of what that area would suffer with physically. New Jersey had a high level of mood-enhancers; San Fransisco had a high level of sex hormones; high levels of anti-anxiety medicine in southern California; Philadelphia fared the worst with 56 different pharmaceuticals found in their water. Yikes!

I'm not sounding an alarm and calling up the calvry...just thought this was very interesting in light of the increase in mental and physical problems our society is facing.

Winter wonderland

This morning I awoke to the beautiful snow-covered landscape you can see in the pictures! The best part of the snow is I don't have anywhere to go today. It can snow all it wants :) For Tennessee, this is a lot of snow.

Attention please

My name is no longer Mindy New; well, according to a wedding invitation I got in the mail yesterday it is not. I guess my name has always been Mindy Newland. My dad has been mistaken about our family name his entire life!

I have no clue as to where these people got the name Newland. My friend is the groom in this wedding party so I guess the bride's parents got wrong information. Maybe they couldn't believe my name is only New. I am frequently asked to spell my last name. Come on people! It's only the word New!

Event-filled morning

There I was at work, sitting at my desk and checking email. The morning was moving along like most mornings do. Then - my vision went all weird. Remember what it looks like when you look at a light then away, and the light shape is still in your vision after you look elsewhere? Eventually, your vision return to normal. Mine didn't, and I hadn't looked at a light.

After fifteen minutes, my vision was still messed up. I started to worry, as I think most people would. The strange vision became like a kaleidoscope so I called the eye doctor. They had me come right in...that didn't settle my nerves any.

My doctor did a few tests, including the fun dilation of the pupils that leaves you unable to focus for half the day! Come to find out, I probably had an optical migraine...didn't even know the things exist. Instead of the migraine giving me a typical headache, the migraine affects the optical nerves. No harm done...just my insides all torn up.

The interesting part of the morning was when I ordered new frames and lenses. The doctor said my prescription has changed and new lenses might keep any future optical migraines from happening. I was looking through the myriad of frames they have available, thinking the whole time the guy helping me looked familiar.

Finally I said to him, "I know I know you." He then said, "Yeah, you look familiar." Ends up we went to college together back in 1995-1996. He lives here in Nashville with his wife...Melinda is her name. I just have to laugh at that; my name is Melinda, I just go by Mindy. So, what started as a frightful morning ended with new glasses and a meeting with an old acquaintance.

Stuff

When I started this blog, I thought there would be regular postings. Maybe I set my standards too high. By the way, my space bar is not working every time I hit it. My typing sounds harsh since I have to hit the space bar with force. For those who watch Project Runway, I'm typing fiercely!

Lesson from tonight: There's nothing on TV on Monday nights! Absolutely nothing!

I've been in a weird "funk" this past month...no...more like the past six months. I'm realizing my life is not what I want it to be and there's not much I can do about it. Sorry, I won't stay on that thought.

This isn't much of a post, but I want to get myself in the habit of writing.

Southern lady

I was browsing random blogs today and found a great link for us country/southern women. I loved it! The blog I got this from is a girl from the south, living in the north. I can't completely endorse this lady's blog...I don't know her from Eve, but her blog seems fun.

Snow

I just experienced a smidgin' of the awesomeness of my God! It is snowing in Nashville. It's not like the snow storms my friends up north are used to...but it IS the most amazing snow I've ever seen! I went outside to see if there was accumulation on the ground or road.

I stuck my arm out beyond the awning to capture some flakes on my sleeve. That's when it happened. The majesty of God filled my heart. I pulled my sleeve close to my eyes so I could see the pretty snowflake. My brain was confused at first. I thought I had a piece of glittery paper on my sleeve. The design of the snowflake looked just like a silver piece of plastic, cut into a snowflake shape. I just stood there and stared, not realizing the piece was a snowflake until it disappeared from melting. I stuck my arm out again, catching a few more pieces. Each piece looked different and perfect!

I've never seen a snowflake with such detail. Usually, I'm trying to get inside from the weather and I don't see the snow as it is falling. It is amazing that the God of this world, the God of everything, used a simple snowflake to reveal Himself to me. Isn't it just like God to use the simple to confound the wise.

Times in the life of a cat owner

I have conceded to leave the house with cat hair on my clothing. There's nothing I can do about the situation. My lent brush puts up a futile fight with my cats. They seems to win every time. So, I'll waste my time no more. If a good roll with the lent brush doesn't cut it - I'll just wear my cat-hair-covered outfits. Maybe a new fashion will emerge.

Sugar, my youngest baby, thinks she is still small enough to fit her entire body right below my neck. She loves this position and doesn't seem to care that she is in my way of breathing and seeing in front of me. The only thought Sugar has is to find a comfy position on mommy. As you can see from the picture, Sugar isn't a kitten anymore.

I had to be the bad mommy last week. One of my cats needed a pill. Cats don't take too kindly to pills. How shall I phrase it?...Cats like to eat only what they want. Forcing a pill down a cat's throat is, shall we say, difficult. I had Boots, my oldest baby, pinned between me and the corner of the couch. I needed both hands so this tactic was necessary. Eventually (like ten minutes later) the pill had been swallowed. Boots didn't speak to me the rest of the night. You cat owners know exactly what I mean by 'not speaking'.

With all the crazy things cats do, I must say I would not give up those moments. My cats are never more precious than when they are snuggled up against me and purring. The stress of my life steps to the side for that brief moment.

Valentine's Day song

Once again, I am posting a video from my friend Josh Wilson. This guy and his friends are so inventive. Sit back and enjoy!

Political rant

About a week ago The Tennessean printed an article on the dilemma black women voters were having this year. At first the article didn't bother me, but as time has gone on, I'm a bit irritated with it. I have looked through the archived stories but cannot find the article. I'll recap it here then tell my frustration with it.

The story spoke on the struggle black women voters have with this presidential election. They are torn between voting for gender or for race. Some people interviewed said they would be considered a traitor to their race if they voted for a certain female candidate rather than a certain male candidate. My frustration you ask?

Why is this a determining factor in who anyone votes for?! All my life I've been taught (and I believe rightly so) to look at someone for who they are on the inside not a skin color, see their character not their gender. Why is this moment any different?

If that certain female or male candidate was my choice, it would be because I see that person as the one who can lead this country better than any other one. My vote is based on if I think that individual would conduct the federal government's business the way I believe it should be done. It would have nothing to do with race or gender.

I know some will read this and get the wrong impress about me. I'm not saying with this post that race and gender has never been or will never be an issue with people. I'm not that stupid. But, if race and gender are to not be an issue, why the article?

Talk about timing!

Last night I was driving in Nashville when out of nowhere falls a piece of limb. It landed right on my windshield, as you can see from the picture. I was shocked, to say the least! I mean, what randomness!

Thankfully the repair will not be a drawn out process; there will be someone at my house tomorrow morning to replace the windshield. I'm still in shock from the experience.

It's a new year

It's the time of year for people to make resolutions. I've never been big on making them but...this year I'm making one. I've allowed myself to gain weight over the last seven years. The weight gain has been slow but I've known I needed to do something about it the whole time.

As I write this, three different people have walked by my window, walking their dogs. So, starting tomorrow morning I am getting my bottom out of bed in time for a walk. The reason I'm writing this online? When people know of your intent, you tend to stick with it.

Good luck to everyone who has a resolution for this year!

Road trip

Josh Wilson used to go to my church in Nashville. I hardly ever see him anymore. When I saw this video, I laughed and had to share it with you! He and his roommate made this short video while traveling from Tennessee to Texas in one day. Talk about suicide! Enjoy!

Confessions

This past weekend, I rented The Holiday. I was in the mood for a sappy, girlie movie. The movie hit the spot perfectly. The following thoughts are what came from watching it.

In the movie, two ladies switch houses for the Christmas holiday. Through this, each lady meets a man the other woman knows, one a brother and one a coworker. I'm sure you've already guessed that the women find love. So on and so forth...blah blah blah. It was your basic romantic comedy.

The movie ended, I sat there crying. I wasn't crying because of the movie. I was crying because of me. The movie brought to the surface a struggle I've had recently - loneliness. There is a moment in the movie when each main character realizes they are lonely and their chance at love is right in front of them, but it will take some work. Love has stared me in the face before, but it wasn't meant to be with that person. And ever since the day I walked away from that relationship, I've been lonely. Is that too honest? And since then, I've wondered if love will find its way to me again.

I can't count the number of people that tell me how wonderful of a wife and mother I will be, or that I must have three or four men on a line, just stringing them along. Then there are the ones that tell me how lucky I am to still be single and to not worry about when marriage will happen. They proceed with the lecture of how much better it is to be single and lonely than married and miserable. I know all that! What says if I'm married I have to be miserable?

Some of my childhood friends are in horrible marriages and life has been difficult. Of course I'm grateful for that not to be my situation! But, I still desire to share my life with someone. This post is not meant to stir up sympathy from people, I'm simply sharing what my thoughts have been lately.

Physically, I'm not exactly what men picture in their minds since early adolescence...and I know that. Part of that I can change, some of it I can't. My personality can be hard to live with...I know that, too. I'm making an effort to change.

Anyway, I wanted to post some thoughts while they were fresh on my mind. I recommend the movie, very well written script.

Overdue post

If this post seems disjointed, it is. My life has been in overdrive for some time now; hence, the long interlude between my latest post and this one. My life is busy with my full-time job and the new Pampered Chef business. As I type this post my eyes are closing on me, but I want to write some things down.

My job has been busy lately. I'm talking crazy busy. I have time for nothing but the bare essentials of the job. Many things are sitting patiently on the sides of my desk, awaiting their turn for my attention. We'll see how long that takes...

On a good note, the Pampered Chef business is going well! I've completed the shows and sales necessary for the full-time consultant benefits! Other than late nights on show nights, the schedule is not bad. And I thoroughly enjoy the business. Hopefully this job venture becomes more than a small supplement to the monthly income.

Ummm...I'm not drinking the water at work. Four women are pregnant! All due within two months of each other! My boss is out with maternity leave, so there were five pregnant women right before she had her child.

Ok, I'm going to bed.

The Unpracticed Discipline of Rest

You want me to sit down and do nothing?! You want me to spend a day or a few hours alone?! How am I supposed to get everything done that HAS to get done if I spend the afternoon sitting on my patio, reading?! Are you nuts?!

If you ask the typical person in the U.S.A. how they are doing, how would their reply sound? Most people answer that question "I'm good but busy!"...as they rush off to do the next thing on the list.

Last night at church God directed the speaker to teach on rest. I left there challenged to take the time to rest. His sermon was titled "The Unpracticed Discipline of Rest." I want to share my notes with you in hopes you take the challenge, as well, to exercise the discipline of resting as the Lord commanded.

*God built us for work.
*God built us for rest.
*So many times we get lost in that first point and forget the second one.

A. God created rest for us. Genesis 2:2-3
1. Sabbath - to cease, to stop.
2. Holy - set apart.
3. God reminded us to rest in Exodus 20:8-11
B. Why did God create rest for us?
1. We physically need it. Exodus 23:12
a. The medical field agrees that physical rest helps the body refresh itself.
b. Stress brings havoc to the body as time goes by.
2. We spiritually need it. Mark 4:18-20
C. Why do we find it difficult to rest?
1. Worries of this life.
2. Deceitfulness of wealth.
3. Desire for other things.
4. Trying to serve two masters. Matthew 6:24-24
*You wear yourself out by trying to serve God and this world.
D. How do we rest?
1. Stop wanting! Psalm 23
2. Take deliberate steps.
a. Turn the cell phone off.
b. Turn the television off.
c. Don't answer the phone or emails right away.
3. Learn to say no.

New business venture

Recently, as of last night, I became a consultant for The Pampered Chef! If you have not had the opportunity to be around The Pampered Chef, let me tell you the company has amazing product! I have known of the company for some time now but hadn't taken the step to be a part of it. My roommate, Wendi, had a show at our house last week for The Pampered Chef. Once I saw the product up-close and personal, I was hooked!

This will be a good business venture for many reasons. One is the opportunity to meet new people. I know that sounds like I took it from a manual, but it's true. Lately I've been thinking of ways to get more involved with the people and places here in Nashville. Selling The Pampered Chef product will help me get out and meet new people.

Another reason for this decision is the money. I'm not struggling financially, but I'm not where I want to be in my finances as a 30-year-old woman. My goal is to be debt free in the next 5 to 7 years. It is difficult to save for the future with a car loan, school loans and everyday living expenses. I know many of one can relate in a big way to that.

The Pampered Chef will give me the opportunity to fulfill both of those above reasons. I'm excited! If you live in the Nashville area and would like to host a show, please email me at singmkn@yahoo.com. With Christmas right around the corner, November and December would be perfect times to host one. If you can't host a show but would like items from the company, I can place an order for you next time I order.

There's a first time for everything

Until tonight, my driving record was clean. My license had no accidents, traffic violations, nothing. It had never even been looked up on the police system. But...there's a first time for everything. Yes, I was pulled over! I'm 30 years old and this was my first experience with it. Call me lucky or a good driver, either way tonight was my first pull over.

As I was driving through a left turn light as it turned from yellow to red, heading north on Franklin Road, who else but a wonderful cop was sitting at the light waiting to drive south on Franklin Road. I didn't mean to drive through a red light. It was one of those times where you approach a light with just enough time to drive on through, even though it will turn red before you make it completely through the intersection, or you slam on your brakes, hoping to come to a complete stop before the line.

I chose to continue on...and the cop did a U-turn in the intersection and pulled me over. I felt horrible. I know this is a small incident compared to many traffic violations, but I still felt bad. No ticket, just a warning...thankfully!

Birthday memory

My Grandma New was a wonderful baker. She could make the most amazing pies and cakes! Yum! Since I lived down the hill from her, she did a special thing on my birthday. She did this for my brothers and cousins that also lived right there. I got a pie baked especially for me. She knew our favorite one and that's what we got on our birthday.

If you know me at all, you know what pie she made. For those of you who don't already know of my love for a particular food...peanut butter is a gift from the Lord! So, grandma made a peanut butter pie just for me. I could share it with the family or I could eat it all myself. It was her way of making each of us grandkids feel special and loved.

I miss that birthday touch. I miss her.

A real vacation

How many of us can say we take a vacation and return home more rested than when we left? Most of the time, we plan so many appointments or outings that we come home exhausted or at least as tired as when we left for a few days away. I took a couple of days this past weekend for a real vacation, I purposed to return home feeling more relaxed.

A friend joined me in Pigeon Forge, TN for an over-the-weekend trip. On my agenda...nothing. There was one thing I planned on doing in Pigeon Forge. But beyond that, nada, nothing. It felt wonderful!

A highlight from the weekend was meeting up with a dear friend from my Life Action days. Daniel traveled with me my first and second years. We were good buds and I've missed him these past seven or so years. We had the ability to sit down and catch up with each other. What did Mindy forget to do? TAKE PICTURES!!!!! Why did I not remember to snap a pic or two of Daniel and me? I don't know. But anyway, Daniel is doing well and it was great to spend time with him.

If you are in Pigeon Forge, go to the Miracle Theater. Daniel co-stars in the role of Jesus. Yeah, I have a friend that plays Jesus in a program. hehe

Calorie count

This morning while giving my oldest cat her treat, I noticed these words on the front of the package: 2 calories per piece. WHAT?! Why does it matter how many calories are in my cat's treat? Has our obsession with diet, shape, fat and calories found its way to pet food?

I understand our pets need a health diet. I make sure my cats (I have two) get the necessary nutrients and water. My oldest cat, Boots, seems to do very well in eating proper amounts of food. My little one the other hand (four month old kitty, Sugar) will eat anything in sight! Of course, she is growing everyday and needs the extra food.

I just don't know why I need to know the caloric intake for the cat treats!

Prayer request

Geneva, a close family friend, fell last night and broke her hip. Geneva is getting up there in years and suffers from Alzheimer. My grandma Smith passed away before any of us kids were born and grandpa Smith has been a close friend with Geneva my whole life. So, Geneva is somewhat of a grandma to me.

She is having surgery this morning. Grandpa Smith is worried about her being put under because of heart issues. Please pray for wisdom on the doctors part, peace for the family members and healing for Geneva.

Thanks!

Requested by Mandy

Mandy will definitely comment about that title. I'm writing this blog at this exact moment because a friend told me to update my blog. I agree, it's time for an update.

For those of you in Nashville, have you been inside the Parthenon? In my book, it's a must! For those of you who live elsewhere, Nashville has an exact replica of the Parthenon in Athens. Inside is a statue of Athena...and the only word that comes to mind is breathtaking. And I mean breathtaking in a literally sense, my breath escaped me for a second.





I'm on my way home to Kentucky when I leave work. Mom's birthday is Sunday and she is so excited for me to come in. On Saturday night, my two brothers and I plan to watch The Bourne Ultimatium. It is a rare thing when I want to see a movie that both my brothers would want to watch. Here a picture of my dad and youngest brother, Steve, and my mom.





The next two pictures are of a cousin on my mom's side, Suzanne and me with her son, Noah. Isn't he just adorable?! These were taken on Father's Day weekend. They were in town the same time I was, which is rare. It was so good to see them.





That's all for now, have to get back to work!

New home

Wendi and I moved into an amazing duplex/house last weekend. We LOVE the place! Hardwood throughout, 50's-style tile work in the bathroom, great patio/deck, wonderful location. Here are some photos of the new place: (I can't figure out what the text above the first picture is coming from.)

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The kitchen



You can tell the house was built in the 50's with these pine cabinets.



Pink is not my favorite color, but I like this bathroom.



My bedroom



My bedroom again...the rest is messy so that's all you get to see.



My favorite part of the house! The pictures look so good against the red wall!



The bookcase is a built-in.



Another shot of the living room.



The landlady has so many plants and flowers on the patio.



This is what I wake up to everyday. :)

Adventures on ice

Over the weekend, a group of friends and I went ice skating. We had a good time, even if our feet and ankles were pounding with pain! A time like this jolts you into the reality that your body does not take well to falls and bumps like it did as a child. Amazingly, I did not fall but many of my comrades did. :)

When I do things such as ice skate I feel like a child again. I remember going to the roller rink in the 80's, loving every minute! I was quite good at Limbo...probably couldn't get past the first round now! Anyway, here are a couple of pictures from the evening.

Thoughts after lunch

Before I return to work, I will share the typical exchange of comments, statements and questions at lunch with some coworkers. I'll explain what all this means after I quote a few.

Mindy: I'm so excited about my vacation that starts July 3! I'll be moving into a new place during it, but I'm ready for a week off!
Coworker: Yeah, at the end of July, I get to take ONE DAY off! But some around here, not you Mindy, get to take a whole week at a time. Oh, poor them.

Mindy: Do we know when the new Zeus light parts will be here? That will be a nice product.
Coworker: Well, whenever it gets here, I'm sure the bosses won't think about how much more work there will be for us. No, they'll just bark at us and demand we get the new stuff out immediately!

Mindy: I got stuck in traffic while grabbing something to eat for lunch. Thought I'd never make it back.
Coworker: At least you get an hour for lunch. I barely have enough time to shovel it in then get back to work.

Mindy: The long weekend was nice.
Coworker: Would be a lot better if we didn't have to come back.

Do you see the pattern? No matter what I say, the coworker always has a negative comment. Nothing is ever right or good or fine or promising or fun. Their remarks don't leave me in a mad mood; instead, I feel sorry for him/her. Such a sad thing to go through life with that outlook. Never happy, always complaining.

My relationship with Jesus makes all the difference. I have a joy the coworker does not. I have the ability (God's grace) to live life with an optimistic attitude. I'm pessimistic by nature but The Holy Spirit enables me to see the glass half full.

One more thing...the reason I get to take a whole week off at a time is I don't take a day off every other week! I save them up then take a real vacation. We get so many hours each month for time off. If you don't use them as soon as you get them, eventually you will have a good amount of hours to take off.

New Bible study

Hello all out in blog-land...if anyone actually reads these things :)

Last week marked the start of a new Bible study I'm in at church. We are diving head first into Daniel! My mom raved about this study the whole time she worked through it back at my home church in Kentucky. When my church here in Nashville decided to offer it on Wednesday night before choir practice, I jumped on the opportunity.

Only one week into the lessons and I am already loving it! Beth does such a wonderful job of bringing out things in a verse that you've simply looked over for years. She doesn't make up stuff, she just helps you clearly see the wonderful depths of scripture!

I'm excited to study this book with Beth Moore and the ladies at church who are taking the class. It is nice to be around other women in the church. I find myself only associating with the ones in my Sunday school class. That's not a healthy habit for my Christian walk. Maybe I'll make new friends through this study.

Home sweet home

Hello from Kentucky! Father's Day is tomorrow and I drove into Somerset today to be with my daddy. I couldn't wait until tomorrow, so daddy got his gift today. I was so excited to give it to him because I knew he would actually like this gift. My dad is extremely hard to buy for. Many people say this about their dad, but it is so true for mine. Anyway, dad got a book called "The Nascar Vault". The book is filled with pictures and memorabilia from the past and present of famous Nascar moments.

Suzanne, my cousin, and Philip, her husband, came to dinner. I was cooking up dinner when they stopped by so they joined us. Sometimes I like spontaneous gatherings like this one. And the guest of honor and the one who held everyone's attention was Noah, their six (or so) month old boy. Oh! He is precious and downright adorable! Suzanne took a good one of me with Noah but I have to wait for it.

Last night while driving home from the mall, I heard a dedication on Delilah for a friend of many years. It got me thinking of my dearest and best friend Christina. We have known each other our entire lives. We grew up together, went to the same school, same church. We are even related when you go back a few people. Christina and I became best of friends by high school and the friendship has grown stronger through the years.

I cherish that I have a friend who has known me through every phase, every boy-crush, every turn, every joy, every heartache. What a privilege and treasure to have such a dear friend in my life.

Steve, my brother, and I went to Stacy's house to watch a movie. Stacy is a life-long friend of my brother, as well. Runs in the family, I guess. Anyway...I noticed on the walk by into my parent's house the scent of home. I can't even give a description of it. It simply smells like home. There is a big difference between the smell of pavement and lots of cars to the smell of open spaces and fragrances from nearby flowers and grass. A twinge of homesickness came while I enjoyed the clear sky above Somerset, Kentucky. The stars are so bright here.

On the prowl

An adorably cute kitty has been on the prowl around our apartment building the last few weeks. We had ignored it up until last night. I noticed how desperate it was to get into our apartment. Then I noticed how thin it looked. Once you got past the fur coat, the cat was mere skin and bone. I HAD to feed it.

At this point, any of you who have fed a cat or dog that was wandering outside your place knows the struggle I had last night. If you feed a kitty, it becomes yours. The cat proceeds to stick around your place, waiting for food and water. Eventually, I had to admit to this and feed the cat. I don't really need the new cat but I couldn't leave it out there with no food. My heart strings were being pulled big time!

So, I don't know if the cat will stick around. It may wander off eventually. If not, I'll keep it as an outside cat since it still has its claws. I will ask around my apartment complex about someone missing a cat. The cat appears to have been an inside cat, it is friendly, lets you pick it up and pet it. Hopefully, I find the owner. If not...I might try to find a new owner. I'll keep it in the mean time.





The picture below is of my cat, Boots, and the new one meeting through a locked, closed door. :)

This is for all my married friends

Stop asking when I am going to get married. Stop asking me why I'm not dating. Don't mention how I need to have children soon before age catches up with me. Stop saying I should date a certain someone. I'm amazed at how married people say things like this as though I want to hear it, or need to hear it, or that it is appropriate.

I'm sorry if this sounds blunt, rude or anger-filled. It's not. But I hate being reminded of my single state and how little control I have over it. I desire all the above mentioned things and am FULLY aware that I don't have them. The struggle to be content as a single adult is an ever-present battle.

Ok, I'm done.

At face value

This post reveals me; and that can be nerve racking and uncomfortable. It addresses a subject I rarely talk about with people other than close friends and family. My birthmark. While reading the following article excerpt, I thought of how the opening paragraph deals with something I struggle with everyday...looking people in the eye.

Have you ever notice that I don't look people in the eye while walking down the street? Over the last few years I have worked on maintaining eye contact while speaking with someone; yet, I still usually avoid eye contact in public places. Once you read the article below you will more fully understand the struggle.

I just wanted to share a small sliver of my life.


Published Date: May 14, 2007
By Alison Benjamin, The Kuwait Times

James Partridge greets me with a hello, a handshake and makes deliberate eye contact. Nothing unusual there - except that for someone with a severe facial disfigurement this every day exchange can be an intimidating experience. Staring, curiosity, anguish, recoil, embarrassment and dread - what he describes as "SCARED syndrome" - sums up the feeling of people meeting you and your face, wrote Partridge, author of Changing Faces: The Challenge of Facial Disfigurement, and founder and chief executive of the charity of the same name that supports and represents people who have disfigurements to the face or body. Since its launch in 1992, the coping strategies and confidence-building techniques detailed in the book have formed the basis for the social skills training provided by the charity.

Partridge, who, aged 18, was badly disfigured in a car accident, refused to look in the mirror for three months. "I knew it was bad from people's reactions," he recalls. "They would look into the hospital room and then turn away. When I finally saw myself, I was shocked to the core." What stared back at him was unrecognizable from the angelic-looking teenager he had been. "The thought of taking this face into the street and meeting old friends ... the self-consciousness level was of absolutely colossal proportions," Partridge says. "The face is so much how we communicate. It's our self image. It's what other people remember."

One of those moments

During the lesson on Sunday, a thought occurred to me. Ever have one of those moments when something from a passage in scripture dawns on you? Like you've never seen that particular point? Well, that happened to me yesterday as I sat in my home church on Mother's Day.

The Sunday School teacher taught on Exodus 2 where Jochebed puts Moses into the Nile and trusts God to care of him. The events that transpire bring Moses back to his mom and back to his Hebrew roots. What occurred to me at that moment was Moses' mom had him at the important formative years of life. The time when our personality, morals and values are instilled. Remember how Moses chose to return to his Hebrew heritage once he got older. I think that came from him being with his mom early on.

What if Moses had stayed in the palace instead of returning to his mom to be nursed and weaned? The Pharaoh's daughter would have indoctrinated Moses with Egyptian values. What would God had to have done in Moses' life for Moses to end up the leader of the Hebrews as they exited Egypt?

My mom instilled Christian morals and values into me from an early age. The Sunday School lesson reminded me of how important the role is of a mother and father in the life of a child. As I get older, I see the principles my parents taught me played out in my everyday decisions.

Plug for public libraries

One of the perks Nashville affords its residents is an amazing public library system. I know many, if not all, towns have libraries. But Nashville stands out with state-of-the-art computer based searches, multiple satellite branches blanketing Davidson County, online control of your check outs and a loaner program which allows you to check out a book from another location without driving there.

My home county in Kentucky has only the one library located downtown. They have a good selection but you first have to get there. There is a library branch right down the road from me here in Nashville! I can literally walk to it in less than ten minutes.

Avid reader is not a description of me but I do enjoy reading. My friend Mandy commented once that I have a wide range of reading material. My method for choosing a book? Walk up to the new releases and grab one. Now, I do enjoy biographies and a couple of authors but I don't stay with one genre or person. Eclectic might be a good word for my reading choices.

The point to my post today: Take advantage of free services your community supplies. You pay for them in taxes actually, so use what you pay for :)

Neti pot

The title of this blog makes you think I'm not writing in English. Neti pot is an invention that I'm sure tons of money is being made off of by someone. You may have seen this video on other sites but I had to post it here. This video makes me laugh every time I see it! If you don't at least grin at this video, you may be suffering from a serious, life-threatening condition; please seek medical attention immediately! ;)



The lady speaking sounds as though she might break into laughter at each phrase! I know I would struggle to speak those lines without a laugh.

A party and a flash back

Last Saturday night, we had Krista's bridal shower at the apartment. Everyone had tons of fun and the food was amazing! We all had a tiara to wear for the evening and Krista had a couple of boas.





While out on the town, we witnessed something very random. We stood around, chatting about this and that when out of no where, Abraham Lincoln walks by us. We all did a double take and yep, it was him. How often do you see Abraham Lincoln walk by you in Nashville?! So, of course the cameras came out and here you go....



Just to humiliate myself...



Can you find me in the above picture? I'm such a dork! This is from the church league, coaches pitch, maybe 2nd grade? I don't know how old I am in this picture but I look so 80's.

God amazes me

My heart is full tonight. God amazes me with how He works in and through us. Yet I shouldn't be surprised when God answers a prayer. Doesn't the Bible tell us to ask in His name and it will be done? Why do I assume a prayer will not be answered? Oh, my weak faith. Anyway...

I recently got off the phone with a friend whom I've prayed for the last two weeks. The prayers were specific. Unbeknownst to me, what God had me praying over for a couple of weeks was the very thing God was dealing with in my friends life. My friend called tonight to talk with me about the EXACT thing I had prayed for him! Wow!

What an awesome God I serve! My faith has been challenged tonight. May I continue to pray in faith.

In Christ alone

I want to share the lyrics to a song, lyrics by Stuart Townend. My heart is full of praise when I read these words.

"In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand."

Pondering

As much as I enjoy Christmas time, it's this time of year that defines who I am. My church had a Good Friday service and I've been thinking on the things we discussed. In my opinion, the American church does not think enough on what Jesus had to give to satisfy what God demanded for reconciliation between Himself and us.

It is so easy for us to dwell on Resurrection Sunday. And, why wouldn't we? It's a joyful time, it's where our hope lies. Yet, the suffering of the crucifixion and death of Jesus is key to our salvation. The resurrection holds an empty hope if the payment for sin has not been dealt with. The week leading up to Resurrection Sunday is filled with loneliness, deceit, mourning, physical and emotion anguish, despair, betrayal. Doesn't sound like a fun week. Most of us would shy away from those things. But everything Jesus went through had to take place. The salvation plan was required by Jehovah God. His holiness could be satisfied only by a blood sacrifice.

Today is a solemn day for me, as a Christian. Today marks when Jesus laid in a tomb. The earth was silent, the heavens were silent. Imagine with me the deafening silence while Jesus appeared to have lost the battle. My crazy mind wonders how the animals and nature responded to this event. Did they sense something was not right?

As my pastor said, we must understand the significance of the crucifixion and death of Jesus to understand the significance of His resurrection. We have to understand what Christ saved us from before we can walk in the power He saved us to. Jesus conquering death and the grave would have no meaning if He had not first walk through the cross.

Some pics

Well, it's been a while since I posted a picture of myself. So, here you go. Nothing like a close-up from holding the camera yourself.



Hold on to your chair as you read the next line. I have a collection of something. Yep, Mindy is collecting an item instead of throwing it away. Below is a picture showing the start of the cross collection on my wall.



I have more to write, but I'll do it in a new blog.

Enjoying the day

A bird is singing its song outside my apartment and another bird is returning with a different one. It's a nice background noise. Today is a gorgeous day outside! The patio door and bedroom window are open, allowing for a light breeze throughout the apartment. Ah! Relaxing.

Laundry is the order of the day. I have wore "laundry clothes" for two days. If you don't know what I mean by laundry clothes, lucky you! Boots is perched on the arm of the couch waiting for a vacant lap :) As soon as I move the laptop, she will be on my lap. It's nice having a lap cat that wants your attention.

Early today we practiced the music for tomorrow night's program. Dennis and Nan Allen wrote the musical and I absolutely love the music! The premise of the program is the kingdom of God, not just Jesus being Savior. I'm excited to sing it.

Is Jesus a threat?

Pastor Gene Mims posed a question during his sermon yesterday that has stuck with me: How much of a threat is Jesus to your religious life?

Jesus was considered a threat to the Pharisees' way of doing things. Actually, Jesus appeared to buck against God's law for His people, emphasis on the word appeared. The religious leaders saw Him as a rebel who would not come under the authority of the accepted way of doing things.

Would we see Jesus in the same light today? But more so, do we shun the power of a redeemed life because it doesn't go with how things are done in our church? Do I allow traditions and my selfish nature to hinder what God wants to do in my life? As my pastor asked but in my own words, Is Jesus a stumbling block when he should be my stepping stone and foundation for my walk with Him?

March Madness

Muffin and I are ready to watch some Kentucky basketball at Mandy's house. Mandy may not like to think of Muffin as a Kentucky fan, but deep down in Muffin's brain is a desire to love UK! Just kidding Mandy :)

March Madness is a strange time of year. There are so many people who don't follow basketball closely or even from afar, yet they fill out a bracket and watch all the games in the tourney. But the tourney is so addictive and fun to participate in! I love filling in a bracket and then stress over my picks. The following picture shows how crazy I get during this time.




The gangsta look isn't me, is it? :) So far, my brackets have gone well. There were a couple of games I lost in the first round. But as for the second round, I'm right on the mark. We shall see how the rest of today's games go. Go Big Blue!!!!

Thoughts

I'm finally shelling the money out for a haircut today. The lady who cuts my hair does a wonderful job, I just hate paying the big bucks. A few months ago I chopped all my hair off...I do this regularly. I tend to be impulsive when it comes to hairstyles. :) But today, my hair will get a simply trim. And, I'm growing it out again. Surprise, huh?!

The coffee at my workplace is not the best in the world; yet, when it comes free, I don't complain. Actually, there are many things here in the office provided for free. My boss knows how to take care of his employees. The coffee is free of charge along with the coke machine, filtered water, tea bags, hot chocolate and the such. Well, we still have to put money in for a coke but the size of the bottles are huge and only cost 50 cents. My boss actually pays for the coke products because we use the sales from the coke machine to fund birthdays around here. Each employee gets a little monetary gift on their birthday.

Anyone else suffering from the pollen build-up each morning on the cars?! My ears feel clogged and my eyelids are puffy and my eyes are dry. Nashville sits in a valley so the area is prone to high allergen levels in the air. I for one, would like it to rain today, like the weather channel says it is suppose to, so the pollen can be washed away. I know there is more where the present pollen came from, but still, some temporary relief would be much appreciated!

I recently read a Stephen King novel, Cell. It was the first one I have read by him. I don't plan on reading any others by him but I wanted to see what his writing style was like. I was not impressed. Sorry to all the King lovers out there, but I just don't like his story-telling ways. And no, I did not read some off-the-wall novel, filled with gore and horror. The plot was an interesting one. I liked the premise just don't care for Stephen King's story telling.

I baked a cake last week and have slowly been munching on it. That's not spectacular news, I know. The reason I mention it is this: Do you ever bake something like a cake or cookies and then justify eating it all by only taking a bite here and there? Ha! That's what I'm doing. By not sitting down at the table with a big plate of cake but instead using a fork to grab just a bite, I feel like I'm doing something good. :) I know it's not true, but the females reading this will completely understand!

Sin eater

What a title, right? Got you to look for sure! My latest read was The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers. I must admit that the book was a weird one and difficult to read. The vernacular was Appalachian, eastern Tennessee in the 1800's. But once I got use the way they spoke, I was able to read it fairly well.

The plot is a small community that is held in fear from believing they must have a man, the sin eater, to take away their sins when they die. This costume is from Wales, Scotland and Ireland (Both sides of my family are from those areas). People believed you needed someone to 'eat up' your sins so you could stand before God on the judgement day. I know many of us would find it hard to understand why they thought this practice necessary. But just imagine a society where a copy of scripture was not readily available. Imagine the control someone could have over that community if they appeared to know what God required of you.

I won't tell the story to you here, I don't want to ruin the book if you choose to read it. But I do want to talk about the impression the book left with me.

God reminded me of the work Jesus did for the sins of the world. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb and the scapegoat all rolled into one person. God ordained that a lamb be slaughtered to cover sins for the coming year, as well a goat be released, bearing the sin of the people. The picture showed us that the lamb sacrificed did not take away the sin but merely postponed the judgement. The scapegoat showed the sin being placed on one being. Every year the Israelites performed this ceremony. And every year, the payment for sin was postponed through the lamb and scapegoat.

Jesus became the sacrificed lamb so that blood would be shed (God required blood for payment) and the one all the sin was placed on, the scapegoat. Through Jesus, our sin can be forgiven and taken away. No need for another sacrifice or scapegoat! And no need for a priest to perform the ceremony for us. Jesus is our high priest! And His sacrifice has met every demand God has for the payment of sin.

God reminded me also that we can easily become weighed down with traditions that don't mean anything to our walk with Christ. We simply do them because "that's how it's done around here." Can't you hear your parents or grandparents saying that?! I agree that some traditions are good to keep around. Just make sure they are helping you grow in the Lord and not keeping you from developing a deeper walk with Him.