Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Civic Duty

Today I did my civic duty, I voted. I left my apartment shortly after 7:00 am. I arrived at a polling site around 7:30ish. I could see a line outside the library, but managed to find a parking space and began my trek to stand in line.

This is where I would like to interject a fact about this morning. We had record breaking lows in the Tampa Bay area. I think I heard the prior record was established in 1910 or something. It was 42 degrees. I know to some of you that doesn't sound cold, but since I have been in FL almost 3 years my blood has become very thin.

Forty minutes late I was heading back to my car. I managed to avoid frostbite and voted. It was cold, but worth it.

What did you do today?

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Loving the Weather

Fall is paying us a little visit this week here in Florida. Tonight is going to get into the 40s. I love this weather!!!

As you can see, it's an exciting week for me since I am blogging about the weather. :) I guess I could tell you that Jacob is dressing up as a fireman for the Fall Festival on Friday. Or perhaps you want to know that I bought 100 pairs of scissors today for my boss to use at one of her upcoming speaking engagements. Maybe you would find it interesting that our early voting hours have been changed from 10 am to 6 pm to 7 am to 7 pm. Or then there is this little tid bit of information...if Cloris Leachman is not voted off of DWTS, then I am going to boycott the show until she is gone! :)

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Perhaps...This is It?!?!

Thanks to everyone who gave me their advice on my dress dilemma. I appreciated the comments and the phone calls. I would like you all to know that I took your advice. Dreamlady, I tried on a purple dress...it wasn't me! :) Stuart and Michelle, I went to Nordstrom's. I tried on 7 different dresses there...one I tried on twice. I have tried on red dresses, blue dresses, lots of black dresses, and even a pink dress. Snow, I looked for a burgundy dress, but I haven't seen lots in that hue. :)

I can tell you that the style right now is short and low cut, but in spite of that, this is what I found today.


Looks like a very basic black dress.


Removing the jacket reveals the detail.


And a close up.

I think this is it. Any thoughts?

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Quick Update

I have no desire to leave you all hanging on by a thread regarding my dress conundrum, so I thought I would give you a quick update.

The Dillard's that was having a 75% off sale ended up being a bust...well, when it came to a dress. However, I did find a cute pair of brown shoes and a pair of pants. Don't get me wrong, there were dresses and they were cheap. I even tried on four. Two weren't quite dressy enough, one was too short, and one...well, it just wasn't "the dress."

Today I went to Macy's were I did purchase "a dress." I don't think it is "the dress" either, but it has potential. I'm going to keep looking and don't worry I'm sure I'll keep you all posted. Maybe I'll even post a picture when I make my final decision.

Well, I am about to head out. I am having dinner with friends and then going to see "The Rock and The Rabbi." Hope you are all having a great weekend!!!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Conundrum

Four weeks from tonight is the annual gala for my work. Here's the deal...I have nothing to wear. I honestly haven't even begun looking so I have no idea what I'll find. Even worse, I have no idea what I want to wear. Last year I looked for a black dress because I hear every woman should have one. I ended up with this:



And while I think this is my all time favorite dress I've ever owned, I can't wear it again. Besides the fact that I wore it last year, it is too big. (In case you can't tell it is a sapphire blue with a black overlay, but not solid black. Sigh...maybe next year I'll have it altered and wear it again.)

So, I am coming to you, my blog readers, and giving you an opportunity to weigh in.

Should I go with something classic? Black?
Maybe bold and red?
Any suggestions on where to shop?

I'm going to sit here on the couch and watch the World Series and do a little looking online. If I find anything that I like I'll get back on and post some pictures. Until then, let me know what you think.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Sharpe Cookies



There is something about Fall that brings out the inner baker in me. If you know me at all, you most likely know that I really enjoy cooking and baking. While living overseas I really perfected my baking skills out of necessity. Now I have to get the "hankering"...well, that isn't entirely true, but I do try to limit the "goodies" that come out of the kitchen so I don't weigh 500 pounds!

This recipe is actually one that I was introduced to in college by one of my Sunday School teachers. Several months ago I ran across the blog of another one of my Sunday School teacher's daughter. She might have been in high school back then, but I'm thinking junior high. Well, she is in med school now and has quite the cooking blog. So Claire, thanks for putting the recipe on your blog so I could share it on mine!



Sharpe Cookies
2 sticks (one cup) softened unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


(Please ignore the remnants of the pot of coffee in this picture...It was from this morning and I did clean it out when the first batch was in the oven.)

Cream together butter and sugars until very smooth (the recommendation was for about 5 minutes).


That looks about right.

Then add the egg and the vanilla and mix. Here are my two cents...I love chocolate, but I also love vanilla. Especially that which hails from south of the border. Last year about this time my mom sent me a bottle of some Mexican vanilla which just makes everything better in life! I tend to overflow the measuring spoon when I add the vanilla...so I basically added a little over a teaspoon.

Mix together flour, salt, and soda. Add slowly to butter mixture and stir until just combined. Add chocolate chips.



Spoon tablespoon sized balls of dough onto a baking sheet. Claire says you should use an air bake cookie sheet or a stone. I happened to have a stone so I used that. (However, when I pulled out the second batch and burned my thumb on the rack, I thought about chucking it across the kitchen!) Bake at 350 for 11 to 13 minutes. Here is where I made a mistake. I like my cookies not quite done. They need to be done for this recipe. Don't get me wrong, they were good, but a mess!


This was my second batch and was much better than the first since the were more well done.


Here's the tricky part...and I'm not talking about trying to take this picture...

Use the sides of two spoons to "smush" the sides in. The great thing is that you can't do it wrong. AND if you are like me an occasionally put a finger or thumb into the cookie when removing them from the oven, you can't tell after this step!


Voila! You're done and your cookies should resemble a Sharpe puppy!

Now, here is the crucial step...take the cookies to work or anywhere so that you are not tempted to consume the entire batch! Grab a glass of milk (in my case fat free, lactose free Smart Balance milk) and enjoy one or two or three or....Put some ice on that thumb and enjoy!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Things I Thought I Would Never Say

  1. Is this shirt too low cut to wear to church? Okay so that wasn't the exact question, but you get the picture. AND I did grab a tank to put on underneath.
  2. How old should you be when you stop wearing shorts/pants with words written across the bottom?
  3. I'm really struggling to get into Dancing with the Stars this season.
  4. This tangerine Diet Rite is actually pretty good.
  5. The Bucs and the Rays both won yesterday!
  6. No, I will not got to Dick's Sporting Goods at 6 am when they open to get a Rays shirt!
  7. Stumpy is dead. (Sigh.)
  8. I taught my brother to shave his legs. (For the record it was Roger and he had an ankle injury that required taping.)
  9. No, Abbey, I do not want any funnel cake.
  10. Who's that knocking on my door at 9:39 pm?..."Mr. Pizza Delivery Man, I'm sorry you have the wrong apartment."

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Beautiful Morning!!!

It is an absolutely beautiful morning! It's 60 degrees outside. I think the Fall Fairy must have visited some point late yesterday afternoon or during the night. It made for the most pleasant run to date!

Oh and I thought I would let you all know that Jeff posted their Disney pictures over at their blog. Check out LandLife and you can see that I was actually there. ;0)

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Disney

What's better than being with a child during their first trip to Disney? Being with your friend from college (and the daddy of said child) on his first trip to Disney!




My friends, Jeff, Abbey, and Reed, were in Orlando for a LifeWay conference. Since I am just a hop, skip, and a jump from there I took a half day off on Thursday and then a whole day on Friday. I have known Jeff and Abbey since they were 18 (I have always been much older and wiser...I was 19!) Since they live in Nashville these days, we don't get to see as much of each other as we would like. Of course they would tell me, "If you would move to Nashville, you could see us all the time!" We try to get together at least yearly. I saw them last year in October, so we basically had less than 2 days to catch up. I also finally had the chance to meet their friend Bill, who apparently stops by my blog on occasion. (Hey Bill!)

In that time we rode the teacups (well, they did, I know better than to get on that ride), Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, It's a Small World, Space Mountain, Aladdin, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, the People Mover, the carousel, and I am sure I am forgetting some. Obviously Reed didn't ride all those rides...in case you thought we smuggled a 20 month old on Space Mountain!






I think the general consensus was the Reed's favorite part was the night parade and the fireworks. He was mesmerized by both. I was really impressed that he didn't cry at the pops and bangs of the fireworks. It might of helped that there was funnel cake too!



As it is everyday at Disney...it was a great and of course "magical" day!


Monday, October 13, 2008

Ten Things That Make Me Smile

  1. Catching up with a friend over a cup of coffee
  2. Sleeping late on a Saturday morning
  3. Hearing those sweet little baby squeaks when I talk to my sister-in-law while she is holding Madeline
  4. Dark chocolate
  5. A beautiful sunrise or sunset
  6. A surprise
  7. When I get to help put Jacob to bed via the phone...especially prayer time
  8. An encouraging word
  9. The way I feel after a good run
  10. The way my parents talk to each other when I am on the phone with them
  11. A good inside joke
  12. The way a verse or a passage can jump off the page just when I need it
  13. My anticipation and excitement when I have a surprise planned for someone
  14. When a worship song expresses my heart more than my own words can
  15. A good book

Friday, October 10, 2008

Unexpected Surprises

I love a good surprise. For example, I don't like it when I know what I am getting for Christmas or my birthday. I also love being the bearer of a surprise. There is just something about seeing a person's face when you totally pull of a surprise.

Well, this week it was me who received an unexpected surprise. On Wednesday the UPS walked in my office, which is not usual. He smiled and held up a box he was delivering. I figured it was just being polite because I could read the side of the box and figured there was no way it could be for me. However, in a few minutes one of my co-workers came into my office with the box.

I read the card first because I couldn't even begin to think of who would send such a gift. The card was sweet and encouraging, and this is what I found inside.



Thanks to my sweet friend for thinking of me. I was not only pleasantly surprised, but I felt special.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Is It Friday Yet?

This has been a question I have asked myself all week.

I actually have several things to blog about. They are rolling around in my head as I type, but if I am to be honest, I am just too tired. I'm going to watch the last few minutes of CSI and then call it a day.

Oh, and my calendar tells me that tomorrow is Friday! :)

Monday, October 6, 2008

Intentions

I was planning on live blogging Dancing with the Stars tonight. Intentions, if they were golden, then I'd be rich. However, I am really tired. Even though it is only 8:42 I am afraid that my eyes will get too heavy to finish the show.

So with that, I am going to sign off, but before I do...I wanted to share that there is quite a great giveaway going on at Traveling the Road Home. Melinda has become a friend of my boss and the ministry where I work. I've not had the privilege of meeting her yet, but I have been very impressed with her emails and her blog. So go, check it out!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Back Home

I'm back...I arrived this afternoon. I am now in the middle of laundry and getting ready to head into the office in the morning. I have been gone one week. I think I am looking forward to sleeping in my own bed the most!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Checking In

Just thought I would check in real quick like. I am sitting in the exhibit hall here at the conference at the Surrendering the Secret booth. Breakout sessions are currently going on, so it is pretty quiet right now. A lot of the other exhibitors are wandering around currently. I might do that here in a second too. Between the jazz music being piped in and the constant hum of the escalator (our booth is at the bottom of the down escalator), I am ready to stretch my legs.

I don't really have anything incredibly exciting to share. I hear it is only 70 something degrees outside and will drop into the 40s tonight, but I wouldn't really know since I haven't been outside since Tuesday evening!

If I come up with anything exciting, I will get back on and blog about it. Until next time...