::*UPDATE*:: Spiderman 2 ::*UPDATE*::

Well, it's 3:20 am and I am sooo jazzed about this movie.. What a F-U-N, fun film. I loved the opening credit sequence. The images were gorgeous comic book drama ART!! They were fabulous!!! The whole film was a vivid, large, comic book experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.

A couple of points to watch for:

~The elevator scene
~Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
~Sprinkled throughout the film, references to Peter's ongoing bad luck

Ok, so it's three points, but who's counting?

A little bit about the pre-movie experience:

While we were waiting in line, the local ice cream company owner (for Doc Burnsteins) came and gave away a free mini-scoop of his, made special for the occasion, cherry (for the red color) and gummy spider ice cream. Weird.... but yummy! The movie theater manager also walked up and down the line welcoming everyone and announcing a drawing for a Spiderman T-shirt. We just needed to save our ticket stub and check the number on the back when they did the drawing before the film started. Nobody in our group won but it was fun anyway.

ALSO, the theater gave away free Spiderman badges to everyone in line who wanted one. Mine says "Destiny" and shows Spidey up close. My husband's was of Spidey and Mary Jane soaring through the air, also up close. They were smaller replicas of each promotional poster that has come out, so if you look around your hometown theater, you'll probably see which ones we have. I'm stoked!! Collectible that I will never throw away! YAY!!

Ok, time for bed!! See ya later!

Spiderman, Spiderman....

Been looking forward all day to this!! The first major summer blockbuster is here!! A group of people I used to work with before I was laid off, used to be like movie buddies. So a bunch of us are going to the Midnight show so that we can be among the first to see Spiderman 2. I cannot wait. It looks really good and I love Tobey Maguire. Be back with a review at 3:00 am!! Ha ha ha... Well, maybe.

Here's a link to the official Spiderman 2 website.

Ballet, Cool Costume

Ballet was good today. We have our show coming up in 2 weeks and the practices are going pretty well. The barre work was changed around and it is obvious to me now that my split needs some serious attention. Also, it is not good when you push yourself so hard during an exercise that you forget to breathe.

Our costumes came in last week and they are great!! The leotard is two-tone black and white. If you can imagine a classic ballet leo with short sleeves, that is the look, but the black part is sewn to look like a...... You know what? This is too hard to describe. I'm going to just go get my digital camera and show you.

Here:

sort of lame pic 

It most definitely looks better on me then it does in the photo. The neck looks really high and gathered but it isn't. It comes down a bit lower but without being immodest and isn't gathered at all. It lays really smooth. I love it. We look cool. The dance is cool.

Blog Weirdness

My blog was a little glitchy and my Saturday post kept disappearing. I think I got it back up permenently so.... Well, not that it was that great of a post, but I didn't want to go to all that work and have it not show up!! Enjoy Saturday everyone, such as it is.

Sunday Meditation

Isaiah 52:13-15 (RSV)
"Behold, my servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. As many were astonished at him - his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons of men - so shall he startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they shall see, and that which they have not heard they shall understand."

The word "startle" is usually translated "sprinkle". This is the same word which is used for the sprinkling of the blood of the sacrifice, which sanctified the altar and all the tools used in service to our God, by the nation of Israel.

Knowing the meaning of this word gives us the correct context and understanding for this passage. All will know and see that Christ is the Lamb which sanctifies us from our sins. God's salvation, which has been declared from the beginning, is made complete in Christ Jesus.

Now, why have the nations and kings not heard and not been told?

2 Timothy 4:3 (RSV)
"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings...."

However, the Word of God remains to truthfully testify of his Promise of Salvation, which leaves the nations without excuse. Read the Word and listen to its message... for in it is the plan and purpose of God made manifest through his Son Jesus Christ.

.::* Amen.... Thanks to my Sister in Christ, Cindy Paiva, for this post. With the exception of a couple of edits, it really is her post. ~Kara~ *::.

Garden..Movie..Garden..Movie.. MOVIE!!

Well, we did manage to remove the old satellite dish pole, transplant my star jasmine and prop up the drunken rose tree, but we blew off the rest of the work and went to go see "The Terminal".

It was a cute film. WARNING!!! SPOILER!!! WARNING!!! SPOILER!!!
But why, oh why, doesn't he get the girl? I have to say that I sort of hated her character, for being dumb in a way that gives women a bad name. ?????Going back to a married man, instead of taking up with the good, decent guy????? Who's single and loves you??? Yeah, that made me a little nuts.

*Shakes head to clear it*

Over all, I give this movie a thumbs up....and Oh! I have advance tickets for the midnight showing of Spiderman, Tuesday night!!! HA! That will bust Michael Moore's smug bubble when Spiderman takes over the box office for, like, the rest of the summer!!

Garden/Yard Conquest II

I love to work in the garden. I went completely aggressive on the weeds which have made a serious foray into the yard. My husband had the unpleasant duty of doggie poop removal. We both HATE to pick up the poop, but Ed is awesome. He picks it up every time he mows the lawn and he has developed this clever technique to remove it while staying as far away from it as possible. He uses a shovel and a mini rake to quickly lift the poo free from the overgrown grass, and the dispense of it in a trashbag. I really can't compete with his total domination of the job.

Anyway, back to the weeds. I broke out a garden Claw that my folks got us for one of our anniversaries or maybe a birthday or something. I had not yet used it so it was out for its maiden voyage. That thing ROCKS!!! If you ever see it on an infomercial, and you work in the yard, or garden, GET IT!! It really is the best and I slaughtered the dandelions with it. Ha HA! Take that you evil dandelions!!

So tomorrow, we're planning to remove a old satellite dish pole, and transplant my star jasmine, prop up a drunken rose tree, cut back the blooming shrub in front of the house........(trails off, knowing that the list is never ending).

Yay, Gardening/Yard work!!

And the Phone Rings

I got a call back from the job placement agency, so I think that they might want me back for a second interview!! Yay for me!! I'm going to go celebrate with some of Denali's MooseTracks Ice Cream. MMmmmmm.........MooseTracks........ They have the most yummy mini peanutbutter cups with fudge swirled into vanilla icecream. I'm going right now to get some!!

In Today's News....

Still trying to recover from my poison oak attack. Now that I have changed the sheets I haven't noticed any new rash break-outs. The dogs are so lucky. The Poison Oak doesn't affect them unless they eat it, I guess.

Spent most of today in some kind of phone related experience. I had such a nice chat with a dear girlfriend of mine (also my Sister in Christ). I think we talked for an hour and a half. I find that many times when I am on the phone and it is a long and protracted call, I am just waiting for the call to end so that I can get back to other things. It is a rare and precious thing when you can talk with someone and not really want to hang up. When the conversation flows so easily and leaves you feeling pleasantly built up in your friendship, what bliss!! I love and thank God for the blessing of her in my life.

So, that was a nice way to kick off my day. My next phone related experience: Made calls to most of the girls in our church summer camp group. I know only one of them personally, so it was good to talk with them a little in advance.. Ed and I volunteered to be one of the group counselors. We've been meaning to support this Youth Camp for a couple of years now but our schedules had never permitted. So this is our first time doing it. What the camp does is cluster the kids into groups by age and sex. 3 to 4 kids at each campsite with a married couple to mentor them, and they do prep-work before the camp starts. We were assigned 4 girls ages 12 and 13. I am excited!!! This camp has just the best reputation for great Bible study and fun, too.

Last phone experience: Changed cellphone providers today. I'm going to give AT&T's GSM network a trial run. So far so good. My new phone is pretty nice, color screen and polyphonic ring tones. Also, couldn't live with out the Infrared port to transfer my phonebook from my old Nokia to my new one. That really works great and I am already half way through the phonebook now.

In Other News....

Took two of our close loved ones to the airport for their flight to New Zealand. Lucky ducks, I want to go to New Zealand!!! (pout, pout.) Mutual friends are getting married there, and they are going to the wedding. The happy couple is having a nice reception here in California that Ed and I will be going to, but no New Zealand for us.

Ooohh, Oooohh, I know what to tell you about!! Ed is teaching our Youth Group on Wednesday Nights. I love the kids in our teen class, they are so smart and fun. We just started the subject, "The Parables of Christ" and tonight we looked at the parable of The Wise and Foolish House Builders. I am really enjoying the subject so far. There are so many awesome lessons that can be learned from the parables and they are fun to figure out. The quick five second summary of the material that we looked at:

(1) This parable is talking about 2 classes of disciples of Christ.
(2) Both the builders heard the sayings of Christ but one obeyed them and the other did not.
(3) Not all those that call him Lord actually choose to really obey him and build their lives on the Rock of his teachings.
(4) Christ wants us to know about this weakness in ourselves so that we can examine our lives to the end that we might be more obedient to his word and be granted access to the Kingdom at his return.

ARRGG!! Poison Oak!! BOO!

I have some very good advice that you should all take. Do NOT kiss a doggie on their face. I have a habit of kissing dogs on their forehead or cheek, because I love to cuddle them, but don't like them to lick me. HOWEVER, this is still not a good idea if the doggie in question is indoor/outdoor, has a creek landscaped with poison oak and other dubious shrubery that they run around in, and love to have attention.

I have poison oak on. my. lips.

This is really stinky. I look like I have had a collagen shot. Thankfully, my exposure was light, so the rash I have is pretty much just on my upper lip, and my inner wrists. But boy, my wrists sure do itch something awful. It goes in cycles actually. I can have no itching for hours and then suddenly it itches so bad it feels almost like a burning sensation. This feeling can be so strong that it can wake me up in the middle of the night. Like last night. I woke up twice trying to tear a hole in my arm. Washing with soap and cold water seems to knock the itch right down though, so that's what I've been doing.

I found fresh rash on my neck!!

I'm going to change our sheets and my pillow case.

Job Interview

Had my job interview, the first one with the job placement agency, which included a skills assessment test. My goodness, do I feel like a reject after that!! I know that I didn't actually do bad on it, but I don't like coming up on a question about Microsoft Word and have NO idea how to answer it... ESPECIALLY, after I have been using Word for, like, 5 years!!

Scored a 99 out of 100 on my vocabulary comprehension though. HA! My mouth has always been in high gear!! The preliminary interview went very well, the lady was pleasant and I never felt uncomfortable.

Wait and see if I get a call back by Wednesday or Thursday for a second interview....

I don't Drink Coffee but I love Starbucks...

You're a Classic Cup 'O' Joe!


What Kind of Coffee are You?
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In principle, I agree with this assesment of my personality, but I do love to go out and be pampered, so I don't agree with the "nothing fancy" part. Although, day to day, I am not fancy. So, maybe it's right and the other is just an aberation......

5 Second Post

I have a job interview today, at 1:30. I'm just getting ready to leave the house now and I'm really excited/nervous. Please keep me in your prayers!!

Weird Science

I have had such a cool experience!! While my husband and I were cooking dinner, Ed cracked open a double-yolked egg!!! Now, this by itself would be cool enough but a week and a half ago, I also cracked opened a double-yolked egg! I didn't blog about it at the time, since without the digital camera I just thought, "what was the point"? However, NOW I do have the camera and providentially I also have a double-yolked egg. Coincidence? I THINK NOT!!!

So, with out futher ado, please allow me to present..............


My chicken twins!! Awwww, aren't they cute??? 


Here you can see a little better that the yolks are joined at the edge. 


For comparison, here is the second egg we cracked, with the normal size of the yolk evident. 

Now, I don't know about you, but I thought this was a pretty unusual happening, so I googled "double-yolked eggs" to see just how rare. Apparently, they're not, statistically speaking, although you might never see one, your neighbor might see several in their lifetime. I did learn a few interesting facts about double-yolked eggs, namely that I now know more about them (and all eggs) than I ever thought I would. I am shy to admit that I actually did enjoy learning some trivia about them!!!

Crochet Encore

So, true to my indecisiveness of the other day, I had a false start on my new Crochet project. I had gone with the Layette idea and even crocheted the first 3 rows, but it just wasn't right. I knew the yarn I had was not really the correct thickness but I definitely wanted to make that Layette set, it is sooooooo gorgeous and different. But I can't do it in good conscience with the wrong size yarn as that would mess up all the proportions, and when a kid is supposed to wear it, that kind of becomes important. I went ahead and pulled out all the stitches back down to bare thread and started over making the blanket that was my second choice.

It was the right decision. This blanket is going really well already (coincidently also 3 rows into it)and the pattern is a fun one too. Besides, it's really the Principle of the thing. With my perfectionist nature I just couldn't do the Layette wrong even if it would have looked OK to others, and probably fit a huge kid. I would have known that it wasn't right and that would have made me CRAZY!!! "Do everything, as unto the Lord", right?

Actually though, now I'm looking forward even more to making the Layette, because it is so fun to shop for yarn.........Hmmmm, which color do I like better? I can't decide! I know, get BOTH!!

While Walking Down Memory Lane...........
Bike Crash Story!!

When I was 14(ish) I used to ride my bike down the hill of our dirt driveway, around the curve and out the gate. I know I said "hill" but it was fairly steep, I lived on a 36 acre ranch, we had 4 or 5 hills.

Well, my neat trick was that I would sail down the driveway without applying the brakes,(speed junkie)and !! would guide the bike with one hand as I approached the bottom so that I could use the automatic gate opener to, of course, open the gate, and not loose any momentum off of the hill, round the turn and fly out the gate. WHAT A RUSH!!

Got pretty good at it too, but one time when I was clicking the button on the gate opener, I almost dropped it. Instead of letting it fall and just stopping safely to go back and get it, I (genius that I am) try to catch it. Well I DO catch it but I also torqued the handlebars in the process.

Since I was near the base of the hill when the handlebars twisted, the bike pretty much stopped in its tracks but I.....no......... I did not. I sailed through the air with the greatest of ease and even had enough hang time to consider how I would hit the ground and to make up my mind not to be a baby about it because the soaring made it worth it.

I was picking dirt gravel out of my right shin, right thigh, palm of my right hand and right elbow for half an hour. Since I went in an arc none of my injuries were terribly deep. Mostly, I had a few gouges from the larger rocks and a few layers of skin deep road rash.... I remember being pretty bummed that I had ruined my tan for that summer, and shaving that leg was out of the question for like 2 months.

Ta Daaaaa!!

Now you can see what I have been doing in my spare time!! I finished my current Crochet project today and I just love how it came out. I was crocheting a crib/lap blanket for an infant. Not for any infant in particular but I do mostly only make baby things. I like to make baby things, really, for two reasons:

(1) They make great gifts for all of my friends who have been getting married and popping out babies, and I really love to give gifts that are personal and unique.

(2) Since I have no children yet, I have no desire to keep everything for myself!!


This is the whole crib/lap blanket all laid out on my kitchen table. 

(If you want to see any of the photos a bit bigger just click on them)


Here you can see a bit of the center pattern, with the flower and block surrounding it, and then the scalloped edge. 

Not sure what I want to make next...........
*Fuss, Fuss, Vacillate, Vacillate*
I have been trying to decide between another crib blanket, or a "layette" set, which is a sweater, bonnet, shoes, and a blanket that all match.

I've never made a sweater so half of me wants to do it since I love new things (keeps me from getting bored), and half of me doesn't because I'm comfortable with what I'm doing when I make blankets. I think I will make the Layette but........No! I'm still not totally decided.......


Here is a close-up of the border. 

It's a little hard to tell in the pictures what color it really is. It sort of looks cream but in reality is soft yellow, not to bright, but definately yellow. Kind of like the fluff on baby chicks.

My Book of the Bible


You are Romans.


Which book of the Bible are you?
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This wasn't what I expected, but it is so right on about pride and pushiness being a weakness for me. Also, I really do want people to understand God's plan and purpose with the world, so I guess that one was right, too. Now I want to re-read Romans to refresh my memory about its message.

One Weeks' Rambling

I apologize for not posting for a WEEK!! I'm actually shocked at myself that I haven't. So, a quick update from me....

Taking Care of my Awesome Hubby

I have been enjoying bringing Ed his lunch at noon. It feels special the way that he needs me and I need him. He never makes enough time in the morning to make himself a lunch and I love taking care of him with this small thing really, but it means a lot to us both. I also can't say enough about the way he is working to support us since I lost my job. He hasn't complained once about how hard he is working. He gets up at 6:30 to go to his first project job, he finishes there at 3:00, then he drives to the construction site and works there from about 4:00 to 7:00. Normally, this much time spent at work would make me crazy but since I can help him, not just by bringing lunch, but by doing odd jobs that make his life easier, I find myself quite content.

God Taking Care of Us

To comment on the work: When it rains, it pours. Ed has been asked to bid another job!! This is great because if we get it that means that his own business is starting to take off. We are working with a really great General Contractor who is honest and doesn't mind helping Ed get off the ground by working with him. I know God is caring for us and providing for our needs even when it wasn't the way that WE planned it. However, I just can't complain. His way is best.

Visitors Coming

I had a young married couple coming as guests over the weekend and I used that deadline to inspire myself to attack the garden, guest room & bathroom, and living room. Also used them as an excuse to visit Linens & Things and buy STUFF!! I splurged (gently) on 3 new throw pillows for the bed in the guest room, all various shades of purple that match the quilt in there.

The visitors are my great friends Jon and Tiffany, and I really enjoyed spending so much time with them. There are some great benefits to not having a job! When they arrived on Friday night there was no pressure to cut our visit short because of work calling on Saturday, and on Saturday we all just worked on little projects but with no great urgency and I found that to be very relaxing. Tiffany has been wanting to learn to Crochet, and we sat down Saturday and I taught her the basic three stitches that will get her started with any project: Single Crochet, Half-Double Crochet, and Double Crochet. We also went to Michael's and bought a great how-to book, the same one that I used when I taught myself, for Tiffany to take home with her so she can keep it up. She learns really fast, so I know that she will have some fun with it.

Garden Slaving

So, back to what I was saying about the Garden. HA!! What garden you may ask? Yes, I promise that there really is one in our backyard. Spent most of Monday hacking and slashing back plants who had REALLY taken advantage of my absence and were attempting to launch an attack "to take over the world"!!! (channeling Pinky and The Brain) But I prevailed and the majority of the "shrubbery" is well in hand. (Until 6 months from now, HA! Which is probably the next time that I will touch it)

Truthfully, I love working in the yard but when I was working full time, it really cut into my hobby. Consequently, I have some plants that are still in the pot awaiting their placement into the backyard, and some that have perished awaiting the re-routing of our drip system to water them, too. When I have made a little more progress, I will post some pic's of the yard so that you all can enjoy it too.

New Camera

Speaking of pic's..... I have been without digital camera since ours mysteriously gave up its' life for no apparent reason several months ago. Which wasn't really a big deal when I didn't have a blog, seeing as our film camera was still handy for documenting most special events. BUT, we have missed it, my husband uses it for his work when he needs to get a copy of blueprints for an electrical job, and film ends up living in our regular camera for obscene lengths of time. We have film that hasn't been developed in over a year. Sorry, digression aside, we bought a new digital camera at Costco on Monday!! It was such a good deal and perfect for what we use it for. Went with a Nikon Coolpix 2100 and we also bought an extra memory card since the one that comes with it is paltry in size.

Sunday Exhortation

Jon delivered the Exhortation Sunday on "Losing for Christ so that we may Win Christ". Primarily the main point that I took away was a reminder that whatever worldly attachments we have, they are nothing compared to the glory that is to come when Christ returns. We must live in the world, working, going to school, raising family, etc, but not become entrenched in it permanently. We will wrongly pursue emptiness if we forget the whole reason that we are even here: To prepare our hearts for Jesus' coming, to rejoice in that knowledge and to share the Gospel message found through out the WHOLE Bible with others. We must lose our attachment and pursuit of this things so Christ is won. The apostle Paul says it well here.

Bye, Bye, President Reagan

I was born in the mid 70's, and since social conscienceness doesn't really strike until you're older, Ronald Reagan was the first President that I can recall. I was raised by parents interested and believing in Bible prophecy, and I can remember discussions about Christ's return and trying to see if what was going on in the world was fitting with what we expect to see when that happens. Ever since then I have had an interest in politics with that as the filter of perspective.

I have watched with amazement as Reagan and the Soviets changed the face of European politics. The alignment of the countries that make up EU, the pressure on Israel from the UN, the rise of anti-semitism, all things that point the way to a fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 and Daniel 2:26-45. We can place our current events right at verse 33. The EU is made up of countries partly strong, like iron, and partly weak, like clay. I believe Jesus' return is not far off, and appreciate that President Reagan was one of the reasons that I am as aware of that fact as I am.

Also, this country is a great place to live and practice my faith with little real interference, (by comparison to, say, Iran!) Thank you Ronald Reagan, for being the President that you were, and keeping this country the way that it is. This is a landmark in history, and it is a reality check to know that I lived through it and saw it with my own eyes. What a blessing from God!!

Standing Up for Modesty!!

Wow, I can't believe that an eleven year-old girl actually had the guts to stand up against immodesty. Check her out!! Most kids at that age (arguably of any age) are completely unaware that they DON'T have to follow fashion like sheep. Also most really do NOT want to be on the wrong side of the in-crowd. Three cheers for Ella, for being a inspiration to all girls about doing what's right.

Modesty is one of my pet peeves. No where in the Bible does it say that in order to be modest, you must wear a potato sack. However, it does say (roughly) "don't flaunt your flesh". So for me that means that in public no belly showing, no cleavage reveal, no shorts or skirts so short that their only purpose is to emphasize your sex appeal, and no clothes SO tight that you might as well have gone naked and just painted your self. Just tasteful, attractive and feminine clothes for me. Ones that I would be comforable meeting my Lord Jesus in, when he returns.

OH!! Which reminds me of ANOTHER pet peeve! Underwear Reveals!! I refuse to let my bra straps hang out, my underwear to peek out, or (HORRORS!!) NO underwear at all.

I encourage all women to be vigilant about this and really, really..............give guys eyes a break. I don't want to be the source of stumbling to a guy. If they do have a problem when I am dressed modestly, yet attractive and femininely, then shame on him. If I was not dressed modestly, then shame on us both.

I'm not claiming to get the modesty/immodesty distiction right every time, but these are the goals that I am striving for every time I shop. There have been items that I picked up and bought that later, after one wear, I knew I would not be able to wear again. If you have to keep pulling it up, tugging it down, or stretching it out, just get rid of it. That's your conscience telling you it's not what you should be wearing.

.::* Hat Tip to Sarahk for turning me on to this story. *::.

Harrryyy Potttterrr........
(Say with whispered English accent)

Heh,Heh, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is opening today!!! Yep, I'm a fan. Tickets have already been purchased for the 3:45 show, and I'm going!!! (After a tasty lunch at the Splash Cafe) Looking forward to Ron and Hermione growing up and "noticing" each other. Ha! Reminds me of Junior High. Tell you what, I will post an update tonight, when I get home, with my critique of the film.

UPDATE! Having now seen the film, I pronounce it to be the best Harry Potter to date!! The effects were very believable and the acting has improved. I loved the Hippogriff, Buckbeak, made me wish there really was such a beast.
 

Dogs are Awesome!!

I found this totally adorable Bulldog who skateboards!!! There's really not much more I can say about him myself, just go to his website and check him out here!! Tyson the skateboarding wonder dog RULES!!  

Job Hunt - Day 1

Wow, I haven't needed a resume in 6 years!! I'm basically starting over from scratch seeing as I was barely 21 and really pretty wet behind the ears when I wrote up the last one. I have to say that Microsoft was very good to me with their Microsoft Office Online site. They have all sorts of free templates there available for download. I was able to get some great resume templates and cover letter templates for Word. Check 'em out here.