The Upper Room

I remember when Mom would bring the "Upper Room" to me in Troy and Auburn while I was in school.  A few years I ago I found out it is online.  Every morning I try to take the time to read the short thought for the day.  Sometimes it's just good to take time out and think about God, but other days it hits home. 

Today is a day that I went, I do something like that but I can take it to the next level!  Below is the excerpt of the Upper Room from today...enjoy!!!

WALKING is my favorite exercise, both physical and spiritual. While walking I can talk to God and give thanks for my health that allows me to take this walk, for a wonderful job that still leaves enough time each day for a walk, for the motivation to spend that time walking, and for . . . trash.

Trash has changed my way of thinking. Not long ago, I saw trash only as an eyesore on the lovely green grass or the freshly fallen snow. I saw only how it interrupted my walk because of my having to stop and pick it up and carry it to a trash can. One day after stretching to reach a discarded beer can, I thought of persons who struggle with alcohol addiction and prayed that God would heal them. As I picked up a fast-food restaurant wrapper, I prayed for persons who don't have enough to eat or who need to learn to eat more healthfully. An empty diaper box reminded me of young parents who may be struggling to hold their family together, and I prayed for God's strength to uphold them.

With each piece of trash, I became aware of new persons and their needs. I have become grateful for the way God shows us where we can serve. I still wish those who throw out trash would learn that God's beautiful world is not a garbage dump. But I will continue to use their trash as reminders to pray for them and for others.

Pat Herring (Ohio)

Similar to my praying at mailboxes but this is praying for people you don't necessarily know!  I hope you all are having a great week!  I know the Grantham/Stephens Clan are looking forward to a great weekend at the beach with the 3 F's...FAMILY, FRIENDS, and FOOTBALL!!! 

Roll Tide!

Up 1...1 Day Late

Well I can handle one whole pound.  Especially since I have been stood up for the "Wedding Workouts"!!  Every time I plan to start I get cancelled on! I told Amy and FAB that because they have cancelled on me so much that FRIDAY is their punishment and we will be working out!  Hopefully I can bring the hurt...I know I'm not my old trainer but I hope to channel her.

I will keep you updated on the "Wedding Workouts"...Hope you are having a good week, afterall  it is HUMP Day!

That Fall Feeling...

Last night in northwest Alabama a wind blew and I promise it was a good Fall wind. I grew up knowing things like that, smelling rain (I know but you really can), and many other country-type of things...but I love the time of year that is on the way.  I can keep my windows open at night, football season, winter-ish clothes, and well it's just a different feeling. 

It is officially 17 days until Bama kicks off the 2011 season!  When I was a little girl I remember sitting in the living room of my parents house with the sun coming in our huge windows (a blanket over the bottom windows because it put a glare on the TV), the screen door open letting the smell of whatever meat was on the grill come in, and the TV tuned to the Bama game with the sound turned down and Eli on the radio!

Now most of you outside of "Alabama Football" may be scratching your head at who Eli Gold is...but if you are NASCAR fan you have probably heard him.  Eli is like a member of the family during football season.  When I got my first "grown-up" job and was living in Daphne, AL I was able to find Eli on the radio and I knew it was going to be a good day no matter the outcome of the game.  A football game starts when Eli gives his colorful discription of what the "Crimson Tide" is wearing down to the shoes-he describes the game, players, and field so vividly that you can see the game in your mind.  I am very glad to know that his contract has been extended through 2017!

Click on Eli to watch a Youtube Video of Bamea with Eli calling the game against Tennessee

I am currently sitting in my office listening to the radio as I work and I heard my first "University of Alabama Football" Commercial with good ol Eli...it just tells me that that wind I felt last night was the coming of Fall...

Bragging Rights!

I KNOW I am not the "World's Greatest Couponer" by any means, HOWEVER I do feel like I am starting to really grasp the concept! I told Mom today that I think if I had been couponing when I was younger that I probably would have been better at Math! (And I know it would have made my Dad happier as he was a Banker back then!)

So let me brag a little....

Yesterday I got 4 boxes of Hefty One Zip bags in 2 different sizes and here's the breakdown:
Hefty Bags Buy One Get One Free
2 for $3.29 so I got 4 for $6.58
I had 2 coupons that were $1.00 off 2
So that makes it 4 Boxes for $4.58 ($1.15 a piece)

In the mean time I picked up some Expo Markers (for a reason) $3.99
I had a $3.00 Walgreen's Coupon making them $.99
PLUS I had a manufacturers coupon for $2.00 which makes $1.01 MONEYMAKER!! HA!

So with 2 expo markers and the Hefty Bags my bill was at $2.56

I had a $2.00 Walgreen's Register Reward from a previous shopping trip so I paid $.56 (before taxes) for 4 Boxes of Hefty bags and 2 set of 6 Expo Markers!!! :)  YEAH!!!

Tonight at CVS
I had $.50 off Gain Dish Liquid that was on sale for $.99 limit 5!

So on my way home from walking with FAB I stopped at CVS and on the way to the dish liquid I went by the coupon machine and got a coupon for FREE CVS Band aids and a FREE Hershey Bar!  They were out of the band aids that were on sale, but for $.10 more I got 100 band aids instead of just 20! 

So at CVS I got 3 bottles of Gain Dish Liquid (Got a rain check for the other 2-they were out), 1 Box of 100 band aids, and a Hershey candy bar for a total of $1.95!!!! 

YEAH!!!

The "Not-So-Extreme" Couponer

Ok let me start off by saying that I scoffed at the idea when I first heard it!  I mean really? It just couldn't be worth my time...could it? Umm...wellll.........

I did see an episode of "Extreme Couponing" and thought well I can try.  I really would like to not have to get an extra job at the moment, but I will if I have to.  So I thought I would try the couponing thing.  There is a learning curve to this just like anything else.  So I started doing my research...

Somehow I ended up finding the "Krazy Coupon Lady"...

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/

This website is very easy for me to understand.  I took advice and started with CVS and Walgreen's.  They are very close to my house and a limited amount of information to learn to get started. One of the biggest things I have learned it to change my thinking about shopping. I don't shop for what I need immediately.  The goal is to have some of everything in "stock" at my house so to speak.  Now I am NOT going to start putting things in my guest bedroom where I can't walk or anything, but it is great knowing that I have extra shampoo/conditioner, body wash, etc, when I need those things rather than having to come up with $10 here and there to pick the items up! I must say that it was a little thrilling! I can totally understand how people end up buying things they don't even need! 

 

I finally got a printer at my house so that I can print out coupons at home.  So far I have bought Shampoo/Conditioner for $.79-$1.00, Lysol Wipes for $.75 a canister, hand soap for $.65 a bottle, Deo for $.65, toothpaste for $1.00 a tube (which I am told I can do better on) and a few freebies/moneymakers...contact solution FREE, I made $1.01 on Lotion, and Pens for Mom were FREE!  As for give aways I got Dad some Shampoo/Conditioner that he likes for $1.25 and I am on the lookout for other deals! 

 

I am branching out to Publix. I have heard that due to their Buy One Get One Free deals that they are a great place to coupon-PLUS they honor competitor coupons.  SO That will be coming up in future coupon reports...just how do I do with Publix and food items! 

 

WISH ME LUCK!

 

Terrific Tuesday!

Yes ladies and gents today is a Terrific Tuesday!  I am DOWN 2 lbs!!  That is 8 pounds in 2 weeks!  A new personal best!  I did call about a new gym today.  I have learned after the storm that I need the regulation of a gym.  I need to know that I am expected somewhere.  Although I won't have my personal trainer at this gym they do have BodyPump and Zumba classes. Oh and spinning-which I'm not sure I would like.  I have been to BodyPump classes before and loved them so I am pretty sure I would like Zumba, but a bicycle inside...not so sure it's for me.  I need things to be fun!

So I will keep you updated on that front.  Amy may join with me and start shedding a few pounds for the wedding.  She is getting so excited about the wedding-planning is in FULL swing and I am doing my best to field every question she throws at me!

TOMMORROW I am going to share some of my couponing experiences.  It has been a lot of fun and something that I really think I will continue!  Looking forward to it!

Here is your funny for the day!

EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT!

I have 2 VERY important NEWS Updates!

1st:
In case you haven't been in the know, my Mardi Gras co-horts Amy Ruddock and Michael Hall have gotten engaged!!!  They have picked out there rings and the wedding party.  The ring should be in in a few short weeks (pics to follow) and guess who is the "Old" Maid of Honor!???  That's right-yours truly-the 30 year old! 

2nd:
In case you haven't picked up or logged online to the Tuscaloosa News this morning I thought I would share the picture on the front page:

If you click on the picture it should take you to the article in the paper this morning. Unfortunately the paper doesn't mention me by name it could be because they were mesmerized by my beauty...or it could be because smelled so BAD because I had been in the bowels of the stadium waiting in line for HOURS in what felt like a sauna! 

Because this little event happened to be held ON THE FIELD that's right I checked another item off my list!  Throw a football on the field at Bryant Denny Stadium!  I will post the pictures tomorrow when I get a chance but I just had to share this news today! 

On a side note...

If you have met me you probably know I am not a faint-of-heart type of girl.  My term last night was I am "stocky".  I don't faint at the sight of blood, I love to do yard work or workout because I love to sweat and if there is water around I can play in I am there all day!  But yesterday after church, couponing (a blog post for another day) and the stadium waiting I just got so worn out that I literally almost fainted at dinner!  The sweet young waitress at the Tuscaloosa location of Mellow Mushroom was just so helpful!  I think I scared my friends to death-luckily for all of us I didn't pass out completely but came VERY close!  I rallied and we went on to have a great dinner and wedding talk!!  I love you guys-thanks for taking such great care of me-and I still promise that it won't happen again!!

Planking for Breast Cancer

Clink on the Ribbon for Breast Cancer Information

I was not sure how to title this post...."Planking" "These are the People Our Parents Warned Us About" or maybe just "See For Yourself"

No matter what the title I have to tell you that THESE are the people I work with.  One lady who happens to travel in a wheelchair named "Connie G" she is also known as my "Work Mom" and the other is Deborah.  The three of us make up the group known as "Larry, Mo and Curley" at work, which dates back to our time in Sign Language class. No matter what you call us, we all get along really well and you are about to get a glimpse into our work lives!

Remember a few days ago when I told you all about the Mailboxes and my friend with breast cancer?  That is Deborah.  She is one of the most wonderful people I have gotten to know since moving up here and she has had the best sense of humor about her breast cancer and treatments.  Until she realized that Connie is PAST DUE for her mamogram.  Well that just wouldn't do for Deborah after all she has been through, so like any good friend she has been pestering her about going to have one.

At work one of the best times is lunch time and it's not because of the food.  We all gather up at one long table where we talk, laugh and cut up.  We are even (trying) to grow tomatos out back!  It's a good group of people.  Today was the same kind of lunch day talking, laughing, and just enjoying being around each other when one gentleman who we refer to as "The Oscillator" asked us if we had heard about the game called "planking".  Now, for those of you not "in the know", planking is this silly game where you lay face down with your hands by your side in strange places or on strange things and have your picture taken.  I personally don't really get it, but it's all our lunch group needed to launch into a discussion. (Here is a description of planking from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planking_(fad)

After lunch was I was helping Connie with her couponing, I have been doing it about a month and she is trying to get started, and we were almost done when Deborah asked Connie if she had scheduled her mamogram.  Connie ruefully said she hadn't had a chance to make the appointment---with that Deborah jumped up and as she was running down the hall she said "I'm doing it, I'm planking your desk!"  Connie and I just looked at each other like HUH?!

When we quickly finished the coupons we went down to her office and this is what we found:


PLANKING for Breast Cancer!!!

Deborah was talking into the microphone I bought Connie a few months ago saying that she was "Planking for Breast Cancer" and that she wasn't moving until Connie made an appointment for a mamogram.  And I must tell you that is EXACTLY what happened.  She laid on Connie's desk for a good 7 minutes until Connie was off the phone with her doctor's office. 

Deborah's only words of wisdom after dismounting the desk were "Don't plank on a full stomach!!" 



A Day Late!

HI guys and gals! 

I am SO sorry to have forgotten about the Terrific Tuesdays yesterday!  I was so involved in getting the other things posted this week that I completely forgot about my regular posts! 

I am DOWNNNN   6 pounds!  Crazy I know but I have been working really hard!  I played a lot of golf this past weekend with my Mom and had a blast while sweating away on the course! 

I hate it when this happens!! Haha! I hope you all out there in cyber-land have a wonderful day! 

Dumplings!

Workin' HARD!

From SCRATCH nonetheless!!! I love my Grandmother.  Over the years she has done so much for me, made me clothes, Mardi Gras costumes, given me GREAT jewelry (real and the good costume stuff), and a ton of wisdom.  When I was creating my list for my 30 in 30 I thought about things I have wanted to learn to do and things I want to try...learning to make dumplings was almost a requirement for this list.  We had SO much fun in the process and got caught up everything going on in each others lives.  I also learned how to make Tomato Gravy and Chicken & Dressing!! 



Starting the cornbread for the dressing!





CORNBREAD!!!







Grandmother is starting the dumplings for me!





I've got DUMPLING talent!








Dropping them in!








Look at that masterpiece!!!







Last Dumpling....Then the whole pot went to Dad's office
and Dad and Neil polished them off!



Mailboxes

Well Hidey-Ho Neighbor and a Good Morning to you!

If you lived in my neighborhood and had a pretty mailbox I might tell you that your mailbox is a prayer for "so-and-so".  When I was in college I had Phi Mu sister who prayed for people at mailboxes when she walked.  I have put this technique to use and pray for people along my jogs at pretty mailboxes.  Plus I use the prayers similar to the ones we used when Neil was in the hospital.  We would pray specifically for Neil's lungs. So to explain....A co-worker of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months ago.  I let her know that she technically has 2 mailboxes.  One for her AND one for her breast!  It is something that makes me feel like I have more of a purpose for my jogs.  Plus I feel guilty when I don't run because I feel like I haven't spent enough time with God that day.

It gives the saying "You've Got Mail" a whole new meaning for me!

My Drive-In Story

Years ago when I was probably around 8 or 10 we had been to Enterprise.  Now for those of you who live in small cities, towns or simply out in the country you know that going to the "Big City" is major event especially when you are a young child!  We didn't have a movie theater, a skating rink, a great place to buy clothes, and many many other things.  So we would go to Enterprise for these things or when Mom needed to do a lot of shopping! 

On one particular trip home from Enterprise we asked what that "billboard" was behind Wal-Mart.  Mom explained that it wasn't a billboard it was the screen from an old drive-in movie theater.  We were amazed and started asking questions.  She told us about how everyone knew who was there on the weekends and who was on a date by where they were parked!  She told us that they showed the movie on the screen that we thought was a billborad and would put a box in the car for the sound.

And then she made the ultimate mistake...she told us about sneaking people into the drive-in in the trunk.  We were just dumbfounded about how this was possible!  We asked questions like "how did you breath in there", "could you hear what was going on" and many, many, many other questions. This was just so foreign to us and we were intrigued 

Finally when we got home we had to go into the pasture to do something in the barn (I don't remember what because that was not the important part).  We immediately asked if we could ride in the trunk!  Mom laughed and said yes.  She loaded us up and drove about a MILE.  We asked her to turn up the music and talk to us.  She drove over big bumps to toss us around.  We were HOOKED! 

A few days later another trip to Enterprise was needed.  This time we were heading to Wal-Mart.  So my brother and I naturally asked if we could ride in the trunk.  Mom just thought this was hilarious! But she consented and really, what parent (back then) would refuse her children an activity that would keep us entertained for the full 30 minutes of the drive to Enterprise.  So she loaded us up and threw a flashlight in and off we went.

My brother and I had so much fun in the trunk listening to the radio, getting her to turn the station for us, and guessing where we were on the trip there! We both knew when we had made it into Enterprise because of all the "stop and go" at the numerous stop lights.  Mom told us when we were turning into Wal-Mart and telling us to get ready to get out.  When all of a sudden we could tell she was a little frazzeled.  Finally, after what felt like 20 minutes in the trunk of driving around, she parked.  When she got us out of the trunk it felt like a half mile walk to the entrance of Wal-Mart. 

And parents you all have probably figured out the reason for her frazzle!  Of course she was worried about getting us OUT of the trunk in the middle of a busy shopping center.  I mean how would she explain to a police officer that we really DID want to be in the trunk, that she IS a good mother! We have laughed about this for years. 

When I started putting together my list I almost wrote "sneak in" to the Drive-In movie!  They built this around my senior year in high school and I have really been wanting to go!  So on the list it went-without the sneak-in part.  We were pressed for time after trying to finish 18 holes of golf and then getting rained on. We decided we were going to fly over there to see a movie!  I had called to see if my Grandmother wanted to go but unfortunatly she was unable to make it.  We talked the whole way there about what it used to be like and how it was so much fun.  I had suggested we get my brother's car so we could pop the back hatch and watch from the back but Mom didn't want to do that.  We were running late but got there just as it was starting!  It was a wonderful time....YES it was a little hot, but we never got miserable and didn't have to crank the car once!

When we pulled in she was so happy to see that the names of the different screens were the names of the old drive-ins!  "The Goober", "The Dixieland", "The Skyview", and "The Starlight" Below is a picture of the marquee when the drive-in was about to open! 

We saw "Crazy Stupid Love" at the "Skyview" I think!  On the ticket stub where we paid it gave us the station on which we could listen to the movie-no more boxes that go in the window.  It was a great experience and I loved checking this item off the list with my Mom!

(On a side note I hope to get some pictures unloaded tonight to post about the dumpling making!)