Where are Stacy and Clinton when you need them?

I used to be a huge fan of awards shows. Not sure why, but I really enjoyed them. Now? Notsomuch.

Maybe it's because I can count on one hand the number of movies I watched in the theatre in the last nine years. Or maybe the fact that my television maturity has been severely stunted by Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel and PBS Kids.

For some odd reason, with about forty minutes to kill last night, I turned on the Emmys. I'd missed most of the big awards, but I got the sense that, with a few exceptions, I'm apparently even more out of touch than I thought when it comes to current television.

How did I figure this out?

Well, out of the seven shows nominated for Outstanding Drama, I've seen episodes from exactly ONE of them (House). And the Outstanding Comedy is even sadder. Out of those seven? Not a blessed one. The rest of my results were pretty similar.

Out of eighteen non-technical categories, I've seen House, American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, The Closer, Law & Order: SVU, Monk, SNL and The Letterman Show.

That's it.

I felt even more out of the loop when I watched Cherry Jones win for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama.

I never heard of Cherry Jones.

Not even name recognition. At least I'm pretty good with having HEARD of most of the actors.

But the one thing that never fails to entertain me is the fashion recap on the day following any major awards show.

There's always your typical "Best and Worst", and this year was no exception. But ohmygranny...one just really stood out.

Almost makes me wish I would've watched one of the pre-event shows this year just to hear the commentator's reaction.

Witness this "off the Barack" creation sported by actress Victoria Rowell...


Kind of ironic when you consider what a fashion icon Mrs. O. has become.

Deck the Halls

I love to think about holiday decorating.

Yes.

THINK about holiday decorating.

With recent economic circumstances in the Diva Family, we've not had a lot of extra cash, and let's just say that things like a working refrigerator take precedence over pretty decorations.

I also love being artsy-craftsy. Stores like Michael's and Joann's call out to me with their siren song of pretty papers, inks, beads and glass ornaments.

Enter Etsy.

For those of you who aren't crafty, have been living under a virtual rock or have your computer time limited by your Club Penguin-addicted children may not be familiar with this incredible site, it's basically an online shopping mall of handmade treasures.

I've made two Etsy purchases and absolutely love them both! One was a mother's bracelet from Nina Gibson Designs, and one was my beloved Beatrice from Siansburys.

Recently I discovered another Etsy Shop that combines my love of decorating with my love of all things artsy craftsy.

My friend Bumblebee makes these absolutely gorgeous garlands. They're made of heavy paper and STITCHED onto the string! None of this gluey, sticky, come-off-the string cheap paper garland stuff for her!

Look at this darling Princess/Diva garland. I may have to buy it and put it in my office!


And this party pennant garland would be sooooo cute for a party or get-together!



And can't you just see these sweet little blue butterflies flitting around a little girl's room or kids' playroom?


And the best part is the price. Right now no garland in her shop is more than $10! Very affordable on the home/holiday decor budget!

Go check out Bumblebee's shop on Etsy and pick up one of her garlands for yourself!

America's Got Talent

The Manimal loves music.

For those of you who know me IRL, I'm sure this will come as a complete and total shocker no surprise. I'm hoping to start him on piano this fall, but with mom as his teacher, we'll see how it goes.

When he was just two, he developed a liking for a particular song that he heard at church. I love it, not only because it has a wonderful message, but the chorus melody is just so daggone catchy.



While I'm not going out on a limb and saying that my kid's a musical prodigy or anything, he's certainly got some serious chutzpah. And maybe a little case of stage fright. Please try to ignore the conversation about the hideous, ridiculous, completely insane cost of avocados going on in the background.

Secret Santa Soiree

It's that time of year again. "What time?" you ask?

Ahh, dear readers, it's time for Georgie's Secret Santa Soiree!

Remember when you used to do the gift exchanges in grammar school? And your spending limit was $5? And you got all excited over a pair of multicolored toe socks?

No? Oh, okay then.

Think of this as a WAY better gift exchange. I participated last year and got some of the most FUNNEST (it's okay to say "funnest" when you're talking about fun things like mystery gift exchanges) things evah! You do need to have a blog to participate, but seriously? It's worth starting one JUST so you can! :)

"But it's too EARLY for a gift exchange!" Trust me when I say that Georgie is the absolute QUEEN of organizing the perfect gift exchange and you will SO want to be a part of this one. The price limit is $20 before shipping and you'll get some clues as to what your Secret Santa likes, so it's easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy!

Go see Georgie now. Sign up. Have fun!

Never Forget

(Originally posted 9/11/08)









As I was dropping Sweet Son #1 off at school this morning, we passed by the flagpole at half mast. I asked him if he knew why it was at half mast today.

"Because somebody important died?"

Yes, baby. Many, many somebodies.

Pie Jesu, dona eis requiem sempiternam.

Merciful Jesus, grant them everlasting rest.

Where's Nancy Drew When I Need Her?

We've decided to rename our youngest, the one you all know as The Manimal. His given name is one we like very much, but recent events have led us to give him a more, well, appropriate name.

Hector.

As in Hector the Collector.

Allow me to elaborate. Last night, around 9:30 pm, Diva Husband discovered that Crackberry phone was missing. We searched high and low, indoors and outdoors, calling his phone from every other phone in the house. Over an hour was spent looking for the dang thing phone.

All to no avail.

So I called TeeMobile and asked them to check for outgoing calls in the last four hours (thinking that perhaps Princess the Wonder Dog had developed opposing thumbs and was calling her boyfriend Dan the Man Labrador), then asked that they put a restriction on all outgoing calls until we rectified the situation pleaseandthankyouverymuch.

Fast forward to this morning, as I was getting The Manimal his clothes for school. I discovered a blue shopping bag in his secret lair bedroom and just for fun, I checked it out.

And there it was, in all its Blackberry glory.

Along with a computer thumb drive, an empty $25 Visa gift card, a small (but very expensive) magnifying glass and a flashlight.

When I confronted our little perp about the contraband, his simple response was that "Daddy wasn't in his office."

Uh-huh. Case closed.

Now that the case is solved, you can go read about another odd item finding. My bloggy buddy The Original Octamom discovered that one of her kiddos has been experimenting with cryogenics. Thank goodness we live many states apart, because I don't need her kiddos giving The Manimal ANY help...

If I Had a Million Dollars...

I never really wanted to be rich. Oh, sure, I've dreamed about what it would be like to have serious money, but when I think about it. I mean REALLY think about it, I'd be happy with a modest home, my family's needs met, and have the opportunity to bless others with some serious cash.

I'd love to endow scholarships at my high school alma mater, the high school where I taught for five years, and my undergraduate alma mater, all in the name of my maternal grandfather. He never went beyond eighth grade, but he so valued education, and encouraged me until he passed away nearly 20 years ago.

I'd give lots of money to my church. We're looking forward to building our own church and being able to minister and bless others.

Most of all, I'd go to Haiti. Our church is part of a mission organization that is working hard to bless some very poor villages. I'd love to be a part of a mission team working for a few weeks down there.

But since my chances for winning the Mega Millions aren't looking so good, I'll do some smaller-scale giving. Most of my friends are in similar situations and probably do the same. Of course even though big money gifts are always appreciated, Margaret Mead said it best.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

With that in mind, I'd like to share a letter with you. A dear friend of mine has been called to do a 10-day mission to Perm, Russia. She needs assistance in raising the funds necessary for the trip. Even the smallest gifts will help.

Most of all, she needs prayer. Prayer for the trip, prayer for the team, prayer for the people who will be blessed. Please read her words, and if you feel called to bless her with funds, leave a comment with your email address and I'll pass along her mailing address.

Dear Friends,

Imagine a place where atheism was the formal statement of faith of the government for most of the 20th century, where the population is dying faster than they're giving birth. Imagine a country where life expectancy for men has decreased by six years, and where alcohol is said to play a role in the deaths of nearly a third of the population. Imagine living in a place where your faith is determined largely by your ethnicity instead of the state of your heart, and where less than 1% of the population is comprised of evangelical Christians. Imagine going to a city that was right in the heart of the Russian Gulag and trying to bring light into darkness.

I've only once missed Thanksgiving with my family, and this year I will forgo my single annual pilgrimage home to go where I believe the Lord is sending me. To Russia. In the middle of winter. November 20-December 1, I will be traveling to Perm with a team from the Atlanta Vineyard Church. The purposes of the trip are:
1. To encourage the believers in a dark, lost part of the world and pour out spiritual refreshment from the Lord.
2. To allow God to work in our own lives as we watch Him transform hearts and lives through testimony and rhema word.
3. To pray "on sight with insight", setting foot on Russian soil and letting the Holy Spirit inform us of how to pray for this nation.
4. To develop and foster relationships with local believers, to make the world smaller geographically but explode it relationally.

I am excited about going on this my first mission trip. I consider it no coincidence that I started learning Russian in April and decided to apply for a passport in June, and then was asked to pray about this trip later that same month. I am writing to ask for both prayer and financial partnership.

While I'm comfortable asking for prayer support, asking for financial support is a bit more difficult. As you can imagine, a trip like this requires support from a number of people. I need to raise $2,000 by November 15, with $1200 due by October 1. If you'd like to be a part of this mission financially, checks may be made payable to the Atlanta Vineyard Church and mailed or given to me. A receipt for tax purposes will follow. I covet your prayers as well, knowing that this trip will not accomplish its God-intended end without covering. If you'd like to commit to praying for me as I prepare for the trip, please let me know. I so value your friendship and support.

Passionately Pursuing the Kingdom,

Heather

Turbo

The Diva Husband is a great DIY guy. He replaced all of our carpet with bamboo flooring, installed new lighting, ceiling fans and custom audio throughout the house. He builds furniture, paints and landscapes.

But sometimes? I think I married Tim Taylor.

Remember him? "MORE POWER!" was his mantra. Between Tim and three boys, Jill Taylor didn't stand a chance.

Yesterday, I came home from work to find Diva Husband and the boys outside playing. We have a red Fisher-Price PowerWheels truck that was SS#1's when he was small, and The Manimal has certainly gotten our money's worth out of it since then. If you're not familiar with the PW vehicles, they allow the kids to "drive", courtesy of a 12 volt battery.

Just enough power to make them feel like they're really going somewhere, yet slow enough that Mom and Dad can still keep up with them.

Until Tim Taylor took over my husband's body.

Our cute little red PowerWheels truck?

Two words...

MORE POWER!