Happy Thursday!

     I had great plans on writing about my experience this past week as a housewife (I'm so enjoying this! But I have to go back to work tomorrow....) While I would still like to do that, the house is in complete disrepair as I packed my day yesterday, ran out of the house without cleaning anything, and then arrived back home from church around midnight. I will expound on it at some point, but not today.
     However, I do find it necessary to point out that I took a break from laundry to investigate male italian names - and being such that I'm more interested in our future children's name meaning - I don't want to give them a that means something "unfortunate" (Mallory), "sorrows" (Dolores), "bald one" (Calvin - I was disappointed in this one), "ugly head" (Kennedy - I really like this name too), "bitter", "sad", etc.

[PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE NOT PG AND ARE NOT PLANNING ON HAVING CHILDREN FOR AT LEAST A FEW YEARS, THE TOPIC HAS JUST COME UP AND I HAVE NOT AGREED TO HUBSTER'S #2 BOY NAME, THOUGH HE KEEPS BRINGING IT UP. WE JUST LIKE TO BE PREPARED WELL IN ADVANCE.]

  

   That being said... I discovered the meaning to #2 and I'm ok with it - however, I'm still not a fan of the nicknames yet. Luckily we have MANY years to go until then...

     Back to work!

Did that really happen?

     Yesterday I went to Kaiser. (You're probably wondering why I'm mentioning this, huh?) I'm not going to tell you anything bad - all lab results and x-rays came back good! But really, still not the reason why I'm mentioning this.

     I was walking to my car when an old man - and by old I mean full head of white hair - yells at me, "Hey, I like your hair did!" Hair did? Did that just happen? Yes it did. It was awesome. I'd like to this old man is a Missy Elliot fan underneath his pressed pants, colored shirt and walker.

CHURCH Easter promo deemed "too controversial".

     The following commercial was created by Compass Bible Church for a PAID advertisement (meaning that the Church was willing to pay money to get the word out about their Easter service) was deemed "too controversial" to be shown to audiences by a National Movie Chain.

Please take the time to read this. Out of all the things we are allowed to advertise through the media - sex, drugs, murder, violence, lying, cheating, stealing, etc. - you would be surprised what got this commerical banned.

Can Promoting Easter Church Services Land You On The 5 O'Clock News?

Church Easter Commercial Rejected By National Movie Chain

Ink Part 5: My Stars

     First off, ignore the bruise on the left side. I have this terrible habit of locating objects, usually tables, countertops, walls, doorknobs, etc. with my hip. You would think after almost 22 years I would have that one figured out by now..

     Anyways, this is the second to last post about ink (unless for some reason the Hubster changes his mind on and I get another one - this is unlikely, and would possibly only happen if we got sucked into a black hole.) So here are my stars. I love them.  This one holds two meanings - the first being that it's representative of my family. The largest star is for my mom, then as they go in decreasing size we have my big brother, my big sister, my twin brother, me and my little brother. I remember when I told the tattoo artist that I wanted six stars he tried to talk me into only getting five. Why? I have no idea, but I told him it absolutely had to be six. Obviously, it wasn't much of a discussion. 

     The second reason behind this tattoo has to do with "growing up" in the circumstances that I did. I remember during highschool how I would hear my brother "sneak" out of the house frequently, but let's be honest, it wasn't much "sneaking" when he was walking out the front door a lot of the time. So he would leave and I would lay awake scared to sleep - there are reasons. One night, I just decided I needed to get out and enjoy something peaceful, something tranquil. So I'd climb out my window and just sit on the front lawn, gaze at the stars and try to figure out this life that I've been given. There was no going back after the first time I "snuck out" to our front lawn (that sounds rather humorous to me now). It was my favorite part of my waking hours - I knew that everything was tranquil; everything was peaceful and I often times held on to being able to get out and just have things be peaceful and quiet and calm and not have to worry about this or that. There is so much beauty in these stars and I am so thankful that God gave them to us.

     I think this may be my most "personal" tattoo. "Personal" as being the amount of undisclosed information behind it. It's kind of an odd feeling to just type it out, even though much is not explained. So there you have it. My 4th tattoo - that just means there is one more post coming and then no more on the stories behind my ink. :)

Work Happenings

I was "racing" Little Boy down the stairs and into the kitchen today.
He won (because I let him) and then he responds with:


"I won! I won Nanny! The old guy didn't win. The old one didn't win."

Apparently I'm old. I find this to be fabulously hilarious. There's only one other time a child has made me feel old, which was when my niece looked at me and said "Auntie! You were alive when they had VHSes." Yes K, and you were too. You watched them when you were 2. I know this because I had to watch The Wiggles VHS with you more than a few times.


Kids are funny that way. Their perspectives are so much different than ours and then they get to give us their commentary on that perspective. I very much enjoy life through a child's eyes. I don't know how to describe it, but it tends to be more enjoyable, more pleasant than life through mine.

The Hubster

     There are many reasons why I love my Hubster, but this week he took care of me when I was sick, and even though I'm still not feeling great - it did make me feel better that he's taking care of me while I continue to try and kick this thing.

     He's a good Hubster. The best. I love him dearly always. And seriously, he's the bestest. <3



No PRW this week.

     Terrible I know - apart from the fact that I've been sick (totally lame), I also cannot think of a single thing to review.... so just as Mike Rowe on Dirty Jobs requests job ideas... I'm going to request Product Review ideas. leave me a note to let me know what you're interested in reading a review about... or you can email me at:  pinkpolkadotblog@gmail.com

    Thanks

Sick and in Bed.

     I would like to say that this is only day two of being sick, but that would not be truthful. I've been fighting this thing for over a week now - it's just finally gotten to the point of taking my body over. I've spent the last two days sleeping and still not much progress in the area of feeling better. So this leaves me now, with at least 12 hours of straight sleep, with many naps before that with much less awake time. So what does that mean now? I'm painfully awake - yet unable to get up due to the fact that it makes me dizzy and my head wants to explode. So I'm here and I'm not sure what to write about, but I'm tired of reading and the Hubster is at work.

     I encountered a situation a few weeks ago that keeps replaying in my mind. I find it very uncomfortable to walk into a room and be greeted with "You sing." There's no inquiry about this, it's said as a statement. It's said as a fact. Now that in and of itself is not the problem. The problem lies within myself and my belief that, yes I sing - but I never said I was any good at it. I have this problem that I assume when people hear that I'm on a worship team at church they assume I sing well, when in fact I don't believe I can - so I'm faced with the problem of feeling like I'm lying to someone if I say I can... though it's never asked if I can well. On the flip side, those who are close to me tell me that I have a decent voice - yet my insecurities tell me that they're just being nice. I don't mean to discredit them in anyway, I appreciate the encouragement - but I just wonder what it will take for me to finally release these lame insecurities that I've had since Jr. High.
     The reason why I am a member of a worship team is far more than it's something I enjoy doing - I do find enjoyment in it and my fear of a microphone has greatly decreased over the years, but it's mainly because I strongly believe that it is where God is leading me at this moment, and has been leading me for about 3 years now. I have come to this conclusion based off of the fact that people I've never met and who do not know anything about me have suggested that I join in various teams. And it's more than just that, but I'm not sure it would translate well through text, so I suppose I'll just leave it at that.
     I congratulate you if you actually read this - though why, I'm unsure. I don't intend to waste your time by speaking of meaningless things, but I'm afraid I have and I am sure I have on more than one occassion. But I suppose sometimes I just need to get things out, speak them, write them. It's therapuetic. It's nice to not bottle things up, and it helps me to not build up walls around my heart, which is always beneficial (the not building up walls, that is.)

     Anyways, I hope that you are having a wonderful day and that you are able to enjoy the beauty in it God has given us, and I hope that you are healthy and not feeling as I am. I am definitely missing work and the munchkins.

Wheel of Fortune

Despite my best efforts - I am still sick. boo.   So what does that mean? Watching good quality TV like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune - in which my Hubster suggested I apply to be a contestant on. So I did. :)

Sick Day

Soooo - I'm sick today. It's the plague probably. In all seriousness, not likely - but it sounds dramatic. I've only been awake for a short time and am pretty much stuck horizontal since I get extremely light headed if I'm vertical.... I will try to find something to write about that is more worth it than just informing you of my plague.
Hope you're all well and are not suffering from the plague as I am.
<3

A Note to the Disney of Coffee

Dear Starbucks,
     Working for you did not prepare me to make coffee in the real world.
               Sincerely,
                     S

Driving.

Today was beautiful. I drove on the freeway with the windows down. I feel like I'm the only one who does that. People usually roll their windows up as they get on the freeway. I can't be the only one though - so let me know if you do it too! So far I've just gotten funny looks and "no... it's too loud". Hmm.

Product Review Wednesday: KitchenAid Stand Mixer.

     Let me introduce you to my best friend in the kitchen! [My mom is disowning me as you read this...not really, but the thought definitely crossed her mind.]

     So, some of you may be thinking, what's the big deal? It's a stand mixer. I understand your point of view - now here's mine. I didn't exactly know this magnificent invention existed until probably last year - or a handmixer either. I have some old fashioned tendencies. I grew up making everything from hand - which means a mixing bowl and a wooden spoon.

    So imagine my surprise when I can make scone dough cake batter in like 5 minutes! This is the greatest thing ever! Not to mention that there's no fuss and muss with getting the mixing bowl in and out because it has this wonderful tilt head feature! Everything is easily cleaned. The only down side is that we live in a 751 square foot apartment, so counter space is limited, which means that I can't leave this beauty on the counter, and it doesn't fit in a cabinet because the shelving is not tall enough to accomodate it. But let's be serious, that's the flaw of the apartment design, not the KitchenAid. And not only is it great for just mixing things - it has a wide variety of attachments so that you can make homemade pasta, sausage, ice cream and you can even juice fruits! We don't have any of the attachments yet, but also - our kitchen isn't quite accomodating. But no worries, Lord willing we'll have a bigger kitchen one day - and hey, we'll need it if we're going to have 5 children!


*I may have accidentally used my stand mixer to make our scones. Sacreligious, I know. But I'm glad you're forgiving Mommie!

Japan and the Bible

     Like many, we have been keeping up with what is going on with Japan and praying diligently for them, that the Christians there would rise up and spread the word and that more people will hear the gospel and truly receive it and that they would find hope and rest in the circumstances God has presently given them.
    One of the first things I do in the morning and when I get home from work as of late is go straight to yahoo!news and read any updates. Tonight, while the Hubster was doing some "homework" I decided to read some of the comments that readers have been posting in response to the articles and one reader brought up something I am very grateful that they did - something that has been going through my mind, I just haven't been able to articulate it through words - verbal or written.

 "September 11 (NY), January 11 (Haiti), March 11 (Japan). Luke 21:10-11 '¹⁰Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.' Are you ready?"

     and the very next comment was speaking of a verse in Revelation.
     Unfortunately, these 2 posts have been removed within only a few moments of me reading it. We will continue to pray diligently for our brothers and sisters in Christ, for Japan, for the world and for people to hear the gospel, repent of their sins and believe in Christ as their Lord and Savior.
     And so I leave you with this:  Jesus Christ is the Father's one and only Son. He humbled Himself and took on the form of man to live a perfect life we could not live in order to be a perfect sacrifice to God, in order that our sin would be paid for so we can have a relationship with God the Father and enter into His kingdom when He calls us home.

     He has a plan far bigger than we can see, what we see as bad is often a part of His perfect plan for the ultimate good - even though we cannot see it immediately.

     http://www.sharetheumbrella.com/
Please, take a few moments and watch this!

     "God is our Creator. The frist verse of the Bible says. 'In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.'(Genesis 1:1). The Bible teaches that God created everything that is, including you and me. The implications of this truth are huge. If God made us, then He is ultimately in charge! He owns us and we are responsible to Him. He retains full rights over us as the Designer and Creator of human life. The Bible tells us that people were created in God's image to enjoy a perfect relationship with Him and with each other. God intended and designed the ultimate in quality and quantity of life for the people He had made. Part of this ultimate relationship between God and His people included His desire to have men and women choose to love and serve Him for whoe He is willingly and freely.
     "God is Holy. First Peter 1:16 tells us that God is holy. That means that God is perfect. That verse also tells us that God requires that people be holy too. Unfortunately, from the very beginning the people that God made chose to use their freedom to please themselves instead of obeying God and being holy. The Bible calls this sin. Because people chose to sin they forfeited their priviledged position and their ultimate relationship with God ended. The Bible teaches that Adam and Eve were born into a state of separation from God. Sin created a barrier that ruined what should have been a prefect relationship.
     "God is Just. The Bible also tells us that God is just. Because He is perfectly just He cannot overlook sin. Accoring to passages like (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9) God promises to punish sin severely. Though his kindness prevails for not, the Bible is clear that there will come a time when each person wills tand before God and payment for sins will be required. That's what hell is about. It is the place away from God's kindness where people will pay for the sins they have committed.
     "God is loving. Thankfully, the Bible also tells us that God is loving (1 John 4:8). In His love for sinful and separated people God has provided a solution - a way out for people who otherwise would have no hope! This is the "good news". Much like an umbrella God has provided Jesus, His own Son - God in human form - who has endured the punishment that we deserve so that we won't have to. As God, Jesus lived a perfect life for us as well as incurring the wrath of God for us while dying on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Because the umbrella is rained on (because God is just) there is a place beneath it that isn't - so it is with Christ! After living teh life we needed and dying the death we deserved, Jesus rose from the dead to prove to the world that sin and the penalty for sin had been adequately dealt with.
     "Repentance and Faith. What Jesus has done is definitely good news, but it does not do us any good until we respond to it the way that God requires. Though many believe that amassing a lifetime of good deeds will somehow earn God's favor and forgiveness, to the contrary, the Bible says that we can acquire God's favor and forgiveness right this moment by repenting of our sins and placing our trust in Christ (Acts 20:21). If today you would choose to turn from your sins (1 Thessalonians 1:9), and trust completely in what Jesus has done for you (Philippians 3:9), then God's Spirit will place you 'in Christ' guaranteed to never incur the punishment your sins deserve. Are you ready to that right now? If so, express to God your desire to be 'in Christ,' tell Him you right now turn from your sin and you are placing your trust in what Jesus has done to save you from God's wrath."

     Please, I am begging you, if you have any questions about this leave me a message, and know that I am praying for you!.


     http://www.sharetheumbrella.com/
Please.

Hello :)

It appears as though I have a few regular readers in Singapore and Canada - thank you for the time to read this - though most is probably not beneficial, it is my prayer that God will use the good parts to impact you in way that brings glory to Him.

Distractable.

     I'm noticing that I am excessively distractable on the weekends when I don't have much to do.
     My head goes kaboom without a schedule.

Just a quick note....

before I get crackin' on my responsibilities for the day -
     I am so thankful to God for the people He has placed in ours lives and so thankful that He provides opportunities to have fellowship with other godly women. It amazes me how encouraging a conversation can be and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to converse with others and reflect on how God is working in my life and the lives of those around me!

Little Boy quotes

It's been a fun day. Quotes from the little man:

"I'm so happy you're here Nanny".

"We're friends Forever!"

"Get ready for the bump bumps!"

"I love you forever."

[[around 9AM - huge hug and...]
"I'm going to miss you!"
  -when?
"when you leave."
 -when am I leaving?
"when you go home and see tony"

I enjoy...

funny little notes that say "I confess" or "I have a confession" or "I have to admit"... followed by "I read your blog". It makes it sound like it's something forbidden or scandalous or something. And it makes for great encouragement. So thank you my dear friends. Thank you :)

Bible reading method and reflection.

     I love my church. I mean, I really love my church and how passionate they are for encouraging their members to get in the word, develop a strong relationship with the LORD and with each other, and to grow in faith and service to the LORD with a heart fully surrendered to Him. I have been a member for a couple years now, and I have to say - one of the things we are encouraged to do, I was not obedient to in the past.
     What is this? I'm so glad you asked. Daily Bible Reading/Read the Bible in a Year. In the past I have been good and strong with it for a few days then I kind of trail off and don't get back into because I end up feeling overwhelmed with trying to "catch up". So this year, I made the commitment that I was going to read the Bible completely through this year no matter what it takes. This has been one of the greatest decisions I've made this year.
     Now let me clarify real quick - it wasn't that I wasn't reading my Bible previously - I was just doing it with no focus. I tried what seemed like a hundred different methods to really dig in, read and digest the Bible (it was probably only a few different ways in all honesty), but I just couldn't figure out a way that was beneficial to me and helped me focus. I thank the Lord for helping me finally find a way to do this and grow! I never could have done it without Him.
     I woke up one day, probably in January, and said I'm going to do this, I am not going to get overwhelmed and I'm going to do it in a way that makes sense to me. I have since completely filled an entire composition notebook with notes, thoughts and reflections concerning Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, parts of Deuteronomy and parts of Matthew (yes I know I missed Leviticus in there, I'm workin' on it). Today I started composition book #2, and I do not believe I have ever witness God reveal so much to me through this method, and all I do is so simple - it's a sad I didn't figure out sooner, but it definitely couldn't have come at a better time (God's timing is absolutely perfect) - as I read, I jot down any verse that sticks out at me and write down why it sticks out, my thoughts, reflections, amazements, and questions. Since my reading is usually during my one hour break at work, when I have a moment at home I go back through and type up my notes, categorize them, expand on my thoughts and research my questions. So if you've struggled with trying to find a method that works for you - take a moment to really think about what worked for you when it came to studying/taking notes in school, maybe that would help.

      And now, here's just something that I found so utterly amazing. I was amazed at how amazing I found it and I know that my words can not fully do the amazement justice, but it never hurt to get it out there, and I know this is something I know - I just haven't taken the time to really reflect on it in a while and I am so thankful God laid it on my heart today. This is pretty much straight from my journal/notebook.
     Deuteronomy 13, verses 1-3. "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, ²and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, 'Let us go after other gods,' which you have not known, 'and let us serve them,' ³you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." This verse warns the Israelites about how God will test them through prophets and dreamers of dreams. What a blessing to be told how God would be testing them! To know in advance was an act of grace over them - it was a way to say 'Hey, this is what's coming, be prepared.' The Israelites were given the opportunity to know what to be watching out for, somethign I wish that I had every once in awhile,. They could be alert and know what to expect so as to not be taken off guard! I know that I fail and make the wrong decision when I'm taken off guard, and here they are being told what to expect! I can't express how amazing this is to me, but God is blessing them in this act.

This also goes along to something I discovered in Matthew 13 when it comes to being chosen - being predestined to belong to God. God predestined people for His good, not everyone was predestined to belong to Him so that would mean that if there are people predestined for good then there are people who are predestined for bad/evil (I understand this is controversial). In this instance, God chose to use prophets and dreamers of dreams to have their prophesies fulfilled, yet have their intentions be evil.  Deuteronomy 13:5 says "But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst". God used these men who had the ability to prophesy and not be false in their prophesies to test the Israelites and their ultimate fate was death for teaching rebellion against the LORD. He created these men and he used their wickedness as a test, yet even though they were used by God it did not mean that they would still live. Even the wicked can be used as tools to further God's kingdom, but that does not mean that they will enter in as well. You must accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, surrender your life to Him and live a life that reflects a heart for God's good and perfect plan and not your own.

Matthew 13 - The Parable of the Sower (verses 1-9). Jesus spoke in parables to that those who were not chosen to follow Him couldn't understand. O  my Lord, thank you so much for giving me the ears to hear Your words! You didn't have to choose me, but You did! Lord, my Father, thank You for Your love, Your mercy and Your grace over my life! My heart is glad that I am found in You.


*Please note that I do not have perfect theology and I have not ever claimed that I do. I'm still learning, with God revealing things to me through His word and through His people. I'm still learning and I'm certain I will until the end of my days.

Charlie Sheen

     I would like to start this with - I really have no idea what is going on when it comes to that world (the Hollywood one, I guess). But it has come to my attention, via facebook feeds that Charlie Sheen is something of note lately, and since a lot of my church going friends were posting videos and what not, I bought into the peer pressure and watched an interview involving him, and this is kind of my way to say that in my heart, I am disappointed with a few of your comments.
     From my understanding based off of the comments relating to him on Facebook, I was under the impression that he did something humorous and my heart broke for him as I watched the interview. So many have found things he has said to be laughed at, humorous and encouraged - my heart doesn't see that. I see a man who has been so blind sighted by the media and the Hollywood culture that his feet are not on the ground. His statements are laced with more pride than I have seen in a person in a long time and my heart breaks for him. This is not someone who needs to be encouraged in his ways to believe that he is someone greater than everyone else on the planet. He needs to hear the gospel, he needs to realize the brevity of life - that it is but a mist, vanishing quickly. My heart breaks for his soul that has been so taken captive by a "me" centered Hollywood. Christians - instead of laughing and finding entertainment in what was said, we need to remember that he is a glorified sinner - lost in this chaotic world and needs just as much prayer as your no-name neighbor who is living for himself.
     My brothers and sisters, please, remember to pray for the lost - they need encouragement, but they need encouragement to seek after the LORD, not after themselves.

Product Review Wednesday: Bare Minerals Foundation (with MAC comparison)

     I'm on a search for the best foundation/powder out there. My "solution" at the moment is to just try it all, so when my MAC liquid foundation and pressed powder was running low, I made the switch to Bare Minerals. The Bare Minerals website, http://www.bareescentuals.com/, says the following about the Bare Minerals foundation:

"Our ORIGINAL SPF 15 Foundation gives you all the flawless coverage you want with a naturally luminous finish that won't clump or cake. It's clinically proven to improve the appearance of your skin over time. The creamy minerals diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles without drying out your skin. Its silky, soft texture looks like a powder, but feels like a cream and buffs on beautifully. Made with only the purest, highest quality ingredients. It's makeup so pure you can sleep in it.®"

     I definitely agree that it doesn't clump or cake and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this about BareMinerals! One of my bigger issues with MAC foundation is that I definitely feel like it's cake, however - I have used it in a way that doesn't make me feel that way, but that's for another time. Another great pro - it definitely covers my imperfections and makes me appear as though my skin is flawless, not the makeup. However, there is a down side which I have found to be disappointing - unlike my MAC foundation and powder which last for at least most of the day, I have not had that experience with BareMinerals and that's something that is really disappointing for me. I work with children and when I wore MAC foundation and powder to work, it was still there at the end of the day. Not so much with Bare Minerals - by noon the imperfections of my skin are fully visible, as if I hadn't put makeup on that morning.
     After a few days of this happening, I popped in the introduction DVD BareMinerals is so nice to include to re-watch it, under the assumption that this was 100% user error. This wasn't the case. The DVD says that you only need to use a very minimum amount to achieve full coverage. I have not found this to be accurate. In order to elliminate most of the redness of my skin, I have to go over my face 3-5 times and it doesn't eliminate all of the redness, some of it just turns to light pink.
    I do greatly enjoy the fact that it doesn't feel oily or heavy like MAC tends to, but I appreciate the longevity of the MAC foundation and powder way more.

     So at this point, when my BareMinerals runs out, unless something changes - which I will update on if it does - I will be trying a new brand next go around. MAC is still winning at the moment.

To the future....?

     For years I have wanted to pursue MUA School/Training (translation: Make-Up Artist). So as of a week ago, I have started the process - the very beginning, very small teeny tiny babysteps of the process. I'm presently looking for an opportunity to go to school/train, but only with limited availability - weekends only. Luckily, there have been a few (very few) schools that offer weekend only and evenings, about 6pm-10pm. This is hopeful, but I still find myself discouraged by it. The Hubster is very encouraging about it though.
     And I'm finding myself not only excited about the professional fashion avenue of make up - can I just say that I'm super excited about avant garde?! I totally am - but I'm also finding the FX make up very exciting too, but that is an avenue I can't see going down (unfortunately.)
     So, I am starting a little project if you will, and so far it has helped my mornings go smoother. The project: go through Kevyn Aucoin's books FaceForward  and Making Faces and one look (probably in order - I have "Type A" tendencies) per day. Some of them are not going to happen on a normal day though. 2 words: Madame Butterfly. I used my limited supplies and tools to attempt that look for Halloween last year - I was a geisha girl... you can imagine it, I'm sure. It would have come out much better if I hadn't had to improvise on some of the tools and materials. :)  And then I will need to get "models" to let me do their makeup.
     My hope is that it will sharpen my skills and that it will either confirm that this really is what I want to do or let me know that it's not something I should do. One thing I know for sure though, God will direct me where He wants me!

Hi.

Hi Russia. Hi Iran. Thanks for reading :)

Dreams

     I woke up at a ridiculously early hour this morning. It was morning, but the sun was still asleep. It was quiet and peaceful and wonderful, but my heart was racing- I was pumped. It took me a moment and I realized, my heart was racing from my dream and my dream was not reality. Long story short, I was provoking an unbiblical pastor over the fact that he said he absolutely did not believe anything my pastor believes and then proceeded to tell me that there was absolutely no way that someone can receive the gospel if they are not within the physical walls of a church. I argued that was absolutely not true -how can you spread the gospel and plant seeds for Christ if someone is unwilling to enter the walls of church. That would significantly limit and hinder the growth of a church.The members of his church sided with me and his boat began to sink. I was incredibly passionate about my argument in this dream.The End.
     And then, as I sat in the darkness thinking about this dream, I wondered what it meant - and I thought back to Joseph and wondered what he would tell me it meant.

Ink Part 4

 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

     This tattoo is one of my weakness and God's greatness. 3 little words that I fail to remember - tattooed on my skin as a simple reminder. Through everything, where the flesh fails, dissapoints, sins - above it all, God loves me. Whether or not I feel it from those aroung me - which is something I struggle with more than I can even put into words - He loves me. He loves me so much, He sent His Son to die for my wretched sins. He loves me so much, He chose me to be His. He loves me so much, He created me. He loves me so much, He doesn't want something else to try to fit into His place in my life. He loves me so much, He died for me. There is no love more genuine than this - and yet it escapes me at times. I believe I was 19 when I got this tattoo, and I was heartbroken and I was having a very difficult time holding on to this precious truth - so I decided that I would tattoo it on a place I see all the time. And on the days I need it most, I look down and there is a precious reminder that my Father above, He loves me and that's all I need to get through the tough days.

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers."

1 John 3:16

I'm a list maker.

     I confess, I'm a list maker. I'm a planner. I like to know things ahead of time. I like to plan things. I like love organization. In short, I'm a control freak - though I'm trying to quit (if only there was a gum to chew or patch to wear to help with that one.) It's been a long, slow process of quitting, but I'm at least getting closer. I mean, everything can't be organized all the time (though I wish that wasn't reality - but I don't necessarily try to make it a reality anymore either - prrrogressss!). Anyways, the Hubster came home the other night, walked in, looked at me then his eyes dropped...and they dropped to the counter and immediately exclaims "What is that!?".
     My craziness had emerged again, in a completely normal and justifiable way if you ask me. I looked up and with my best "you think I'm adorable" smile said (very proudly if I remember correctly), "I made a cleaning list! I promise, the people in Bulgaria could hear his eyes roll.
     The list isn't necessarily the crazy part - but my list has a list. Now, the list at the moment is not well organized, and I "have" to do it in the order of which the tasks are currently listed. Therefore, I spend more energy going back and forth between rooms than actually cleaning. It's not a perfect list - today was just day1 - there are plenty of days to re-organize it.
     I love lists. Post it notes. Binders. Methods. I make lists of lists I plan on making. I may have a problem. I'm ok with this. Anyone else out there with a love of lists and all things organized? Can I get a woopwoop? [did I just say that?]

Strange things are happening to me....

     Did anyone else get the song from Toy Story stuck in their head upon reading that? (I bet it is now, my apologies). Ok so, Hubster went to a Unite Academy class the other day and guess what he calls to tell me? They put my blog up on the big screen - without knowing it belonged to his wife! He described it as funny - I think it's strange, yet totally rad. So an entire product company, which has a brand spankin' new product (not yet released) that I'm dying to try, has seen my blog - but according to my stats I get about 2 hits per day on it. haha... uhm, what?  Anyways, I thought it was exciting.

Product Review Wednesday: OPI DripDry

     Back in January, the Hubster had the opportunity (and in my opinion priviledge) to go the Long Beach ISSE Show. Due to the sad fact that I do not possess a cosmetologist license at this present moment, I had to go to work while he got to go play. Lucky for me though, he picked up some fun goodies! I was so excited when he showed me that he had picked up OPI DripDry Laquer Drying Drops. 'Cause let's face it, how many times have you gone to do your nails and have them get messed up right before you leave? I don't know about you, but this happens to me frequently.
     According to OPI, DripDry Laquer Drying Drops "Dries nails to the touch in one minute, completely in five, with just 1 to 2 drops. Soothes cuticles with jojoba. Recommendation: When you need to get out the door in a hurry!"

I'm calling their bluff. 

     While I definitely agree with the fact that it really does dry nails to the touch in one minute, I completely disagree with it drying completely in 5 minutes. Luckily when I used it, it was a weekend so I didn't have much to do - and I'm usually skeptical about "quick drying" anything related to nail laquer. So I painted my toes, waited just long enough while I read through the instructions of OPI DripDry and followed them. I applied 2 drops like instructed, put my feet up for a minute and then tested to see if they were actually dry to the touch. They were! In all seriousness, I was ecstatic. It was working, but I was still skeptical. I continued to put my feet up for an hour - one full hour. According to the product, they were completely dry and I was free to do whatever I pleased. I spent the next hour cautiously walking around the house completing chores and then hopped in the shower. Much to my dismay, when I got out after waiting 1 hour and 55 minutes longer than I should have had to, my nails were damaged! They were all wrinkly, like when you put on a pair of cute shoes before the polish is dry and they get all smudged... you know what I mean.

     So, OPI - what's the deal? Why wasn't the nail polish - which was also your brand - completely dry in 5 minutes like the product says? I will be giving it another shot, but from a cautious first use with outcomes as they were, I won't be expecting much better the second time around.