Becky Herbst - Seeing His Gifts Shine Through Her

A friend asked me recently.. "don't you get tired of hearing my talks?"  This was asked by my friend Becky Herbst who is our speaker for our retreat team.  We formed this team quite a few years ago, bringing 3 friends together in ministry for women's retreats.   Women's retreats are designed for a group of women from a specific church that get away from their regular routine to retreat at a special place.   Retreats include a lot of eating, fun, shopping etc and sessions where there is rich teaching about God in our lives and worshiping Him through music.

The three of us have been leading worship music together for over 10 years and through that, have formed an unbreakable friendship.  When Becky started her ministry in Bible teaching,  Lisa and I started more actively leading worship together, so it seemed natural to bridge the 3 individual ministries into one.  

At a recent event Becky asked us that very question about us getting tired of her talks and messages, we laughed and said "of course not".. which was true.   We laughed at how hard it must be for people like Women of Faith speakers to hear the same sermon over and over from their dear friends.  Not only that, they have to sit on stage and look fresh as if it's the first time they have heard it!!   As I was sitting in a morning session AGAIN listening to Becky.. I realized WHY it's not hard to listen to her.  Well, she's really good at speaking, story telling and engaging people, even tired people.  But as I watched my friend speaking up there it came to me that THIS is what God created her to do, and SO well!  He gifted her in such a way and she is using her gifts to minister to women in a special and fun way while directing their hearts to the Lord.   Seeing my friend being used by the Lord and using her gifts was a gift to me!  I could watch and listen to her and not get tired of it because it is beautiful to see Him work through her.

We are excited to see where the Lord takes our ministry.  We have already been so blessed by what He has already done. Retreat Info

I worked out today and took a CLASS!!!

So I was handed THIS over of the weekend.. a gift from my husband.. I'm not offended, I deserve it I have been slacking and eating like a school girl at a slumber party since November.   

I hate taking classes!! I don't know if it's the awkward feeling of not being able to do the moves OR the giant mirrors that show me how ridiculous I look trying!! 

This is the first class I took,  the hot pink instructor woman is thankfully my friend which when taking a class from a friend, for some reason it's a little harder to cheat.. I did anyway because my biceps were on FIRE! and that was even when I DIDN'T have hand weights! 

So she teaches using those big round Balls of destruction.. which I've been afraid of since late 98' when I rolled off funny and hurt by back.  But I suppose that injury is long healed.

I was excited to finally balance on it!!  Apparently the Master move of core strength.. only to find out, after I could balance no more,  the ball was resting in a hold ring!  So I really wasn't balancing at all. boo. 

Why did it seem while laying on the ball, that mine was the only ball that took on a very flat lentil bean like shape? Oh well, that was OK because I knew all the words to "Let's Get Physical" playing overhead.  

When Advent Dinner Busts! Night #1

When Advent Dinner Busts Night #1 

This is a call to all young parents out there, if you are going to do Christmas traditions with your children, start young or they’ll think you have gone mad.   Take Advent for example.   Although we shared the Christmas story and did fun things over the years for Christmas, we never have done anything the same one year after another and probably still won’t because I couldn't even pull off 4 weeks in a row for Advent celebration.    After hearing a how one family in our church does Advent I thought well the Spears can do that!!  The announcement is made that things will look different this year, less presents, more focus.   Two of the three offspring are up for the new Christmas look, one however did that weird thing with the eyes where they look inside the brain and then huff and then say “really..why?”.

Night 1:  Table is prepared, dinner is made, candles are lit, mom and two kids are happy and excited, teen is still asking why are we doing this and how long will this take?   Clock ticks.. dinner is ready but no Dad.   I call the office and hear on the other end “oh NO! I totally forgot”, my Christmas emotions are in check and while I’m singing “joy to the world” in my head I sweetly say.. “oh that’s ok I know this is something new so we’ll do the reading at dessert”.    Kids and I eat candlelight dinner, all while curbing the bad attitude in the corner by the one who would rather be texting and is still asking how long this reading will take.   We have 4 weeks of this??   

Dessert:  Yay! he’s home, we are ready! “ok everyone.. back to the table for Advent reading and dessert!”  this is going to be wonderful I'm thinking.    Then what do I hear from the right side of the table?? “that’s my seat, “no I’m sitting there.. move”, “but you sat there last night”, “but…   OK OK stop gee wiz you guys act like you're toddlers! You sit there, stop arguing and let’s have a special… (CRASH!!!!)    yes.. as the arguing seat stealers are switching.. a very miffed shoulder brushes up against the wall shelf and knocks the shelf to the ground, breaking my favorite plates!    This followed by I’m sorry’s and panic while watching us sweep  up broken glass, combined with me trying to save the moment saying “it’s fine but be more careful next time” sweeping up my favorite plates all while singing “joy to the world” again in my head.  There cleaned up..

“OK now where were we!"  

We eat and hear the story of Zachariah getting his voice silenced until the day his son was born because he didn’t believe and trust in God that it would happen.  It was a great story in my mind of how we should trust God and have faith even when things seem impossible.   Something I’m hoping my children will understand and be able to apply to this century.  “So kids how does this apply to your li “..”uh IT DOESN'T?” came quickly from the corner seat.  “e-hem, ok why don’t we think a little before we answer” (mercy!)  One thoughtful answer from the opposite corner and a wrap up from the head of the household.. and then as if their mom came from Mars all heads spinning when I said.. “OK! Onto crafts”!!

“CRAFTS??” they said..  “Yes I’m making paper chains out of this cute craft paper I got from Michael's that I cut in strips thinking you would think it’s fun to do a craft.  But if you don’t want to, that’s fine (joy to the world) I will do it anyway”.. The youngest says.. “well  I’ll do it”  GREAT I have one taker.  “ok fine, we’ll do it”  Well at the end of the night my family of 5 is doing paper chains, laughing, and racing to get it done the fastest.   The cat ended up with chains around his neck running around frantic, kids laughing, mom happy and extra decorations for the tree to remind us later.  Advent night #1 DONE!  Maybe this is just what only a select few families can ultimately pull off.  This is going to be the longest most stressful weeks of my life!

Is It working Lord? From a Mom's heart to Yours

Is It Working Lord?  

I don’t know how many times I have asked that question as a parent.  As our kids grow and develop spiritually, emotionally and physically I often look back and wonder what stuck and what didn't  and what am I doing now that they will remember?  Would I do things differently or perhaps the same?  Then as if in a blink of an eye just when I think I can’t change one more diaper and clean up one more spilled cup of juice they are walking around with their own phones and planning things without me?  Lord where did time go? Did I do enough where I can trust them to do what they are supposed to without me? Do I trust YOU enough Lord to take them on this journey without me holding their hand?  Did I sow enough good seeds and will they only remember the time I completely lost it!!  Oh no!! I didn't have them in AWANA because it was the wrong night! 

Those are the questions amongst others that come to my heart in a moment of panic, worry and sometimes guilt that I may have not done enough or done things the way I should have.    Maybe you have that fear too, or feel like you have to cross every box off on the parental checklist to make sure your child turns out the way you dream. 

The great news is that God has bigger plans than we can imagine!  He knows your child better than you do and LOVES your child more than you do!! (What??)  When I take my guilt captive and wrestle with the world’s “acceptable” list I find so much more peace in my parenting.  As moms, our first and most important thing we can do for our children is to Love the Lord deeply and walk showing His light.  This is not always easy when issues come up and I am frustrated or disappointed, but I found I handle those situations much better when I've had time with God prior to the mess.   I had a mental shift a while ago in my home with my “mini adults” and thought… “what if I was living with 3 non-believers, who didn't have faith of their own, who were baby Christians or were new in their walk?  How, or would, I have behaved differently?”  Honestly, in some of my situations I had to answer “yes I would have behaved differently.”  Our children are watching us and how we conduct ourselves as “Christian Women”, we are the first Christian they see every morning and before bed every night. WOW!    

So the question is it working? Well I know God is working that’s for sure.  Regardless of my mistakes as a mom, He still has their best interested in mind and we are just part of His plan to draw them closer to Him and be who HE created them to be.  Ah that’s so comforting and freeing!! 

Thanksgiving Worked!

Meat of any kind and me have a love hate relationship.  I love eating it (some of it) but hate touching it.  If it looks like it's going to walk off the plate at any moment then forget it! The consistency has to show no signs of sliminess either. 

The Neck

This Thanksgiving I decided to host the family.  Planning the menu is always kind of fun, finding new things online to try.  The decorating comes together fairly easily but the fear comes wondering if the food will actually turn out.  I don't consider myself a great cook and have been known to cook on high but on the percentage I think if I following the recipe things turn out. 

Two nights before as I saw the bird in the fridge I had only one thing on my mind and that was knowing in a day I'd be having to reach in for that neck they stuff in there and the bag, which really touching the raw carcass on the outside is one thing and pretty nasty feeling, but digging in the cavity is beyond what I like to do.  I was not raised on a farm thank goodness!!  So there he was.. found the neck which my boys immediately thought was super cool and figure since the bag of "innards" or giblets as some call it was not in there, they must have forgot to stuff it back into our bird.. oh well! That was until I posted that on Facebook and my friend said "NO it's on the other end!" oh great.
Knowing this could get very interesting, my husband grabbed the video camera.

Well that was disgusting. 

Now the rest of the menu had to accommodate 2 gluten free guests which thankfully there are so many recipes out there.

Menu:

Mashed Potatoes From the Pioneer Woman Cookbook - 4 stars!!

Kittencal's Creamy Broccoli Bake - again 4 stars!!! (food.com)

Bread and Celery Stuffing from All recipes.com   3 Stars!!

(we cooked it outside the bird so it was on the dry side but the bird was very very tender)

Mom brought her homemade biscuits and fruit Salad

Mom-in-law brought pumpkin pies and Deviled Eggs

Aunt Erin Brought Amazing Homemade Clam Chowder!

the Turkey was soaked in a Brine from Martha Stewart overnight and was delicious!!!!

Dinner Success!!!!!

The Table

I love pretty things and centerpieces.  Love Candlelight and being able to cut live branches from outside and use them for free as a bouquet.  With 11 people around a table I knew I didn't have a big enough tablecloth and or table for that matter, and I always remember being the unlucky one as an adult at the "kid table" so I wanted everyone to feel part of the main table.  While at the fabric store and seeing how expensive it would be to cover the tables I had an idea pop on my head of inexpensive Burlap which I've seen all over the web used in various ways.   I also bought a half yard of two different kinds of fabric to create a runner.  The best idea thankfully came when I thought I should just buy a cheap black sheet to cover my table, which was only $11

So when it came to decorating it and tying the two together it was easy to interchange colors between the tables making them feel like they go together. 

The other centerpiece items were things I had around the house or in the garage unused and a few branches from the yard and of course candles made for my favorite part of the meal and a cozy atmosphere.   I also bought a few yards of ribbon for a grand total of about $20 for the table decor which was FAR less money than some of those pre-made arrangements.

The Family Together...Thankful

Taking A Self Portrait with New Phone! Not working

I always see these cute pictures on facebook where people take their phone and a mirror and self portrait themselves.  Some people really have it down.  I just wanted to post a picture of my cute vest I got thrift shopping.  I've been wanting one for a while and I found this one for $2.95! 

I then realized how hard it is for me to get a picture. 

It's like the first time backing up a car with a trailer... everything is opposite it seems..

maybe scrunching down.. this is confusing...



Neck Hunch

 

Still dorky smiling.. ugh.. I give up.. do you see the vest?

I GIVE UP!!





Problems with CD purchase?

Recently I had a customer contact me with this:

Hi Courtney. Can you tell me why your CD "Between Chapters" has 2 cuts of "Spin, Spin Sugar (Radio version and Album version), "Walk The Rain" and "How Do" but none of your songs on it? Was wanting to load it to my computer/iPod but not your songs?

Ok, LOL but not funny really.. I guess there must have been a mistake in the duplication hmm...perplexing.. SO if this is your story please contact me at courtney@courtneyspears.com so you can tell me about any issues. 

Grace For our Kids and Their Journey

Wow! I have been really dealing with my own conviction lately of what does grace really look like.  I admit I often have fallen short in this category many times with my own children.  I also know that the grace I have been given by the Lord is unmeasurable.   

Raising kids in this world is the  most difficult challenge I have faced.  A world where everything is thrown in their faces, people text, type, say whatever they want without thinking about the receiving end.  We try to teach empathy, love, strength, mercy and grace to our children yet they deal with the opposite every day with their friends, peers, other parents and sadly their own parents at times.    My  mom always used to say and still does "But by the grace of God go I" which is so true.   I wonder if my lack of grace and mercy for my children at times comes from fear. Actually, I know it stems from fear and the what ifs of life.  What if they decide to do this and that, what if they do the wrong thing that causes harm to themselves, what if I didn't do all I could to protect them.  Fear of what others might think as they interact with my children.  Fear of failure and having to pick up the pieces of a mess, and the list goes on. 

But God is not the one who puts fear in me, the enemy comes to steal, rob and destroy the very things that God created for good.   I had to come to the point in my parenting and interacting with other kids that even though their choices and decisions aren't what I might have done or approve of, grace will speak louder.  I'm not talking about grace that dismisses correction, but Grace that doesn't condemn and dishonor the love of Christ. 

Speaking to the church body, do we honestly give grace to our kids or do we just shoo them away and put them on a list of "troubled".."watch out for them".. "why would the parents allow this".. we've heard it all haven't we?  The kind of grace that we would want and have been been given ourselves.  The kind that says,  I know that you were going through a time or maybe currently that you aren't making the best choices but I trust that God is working in you.  I come along side you and am an example of God's grace and work in all our lives.  How much rejection these kids face daily from other places, and how much  their church family should be far greater of a safe and an accepting place of where they are in their spiritual journey.     I have been guilty of this myself of being judgemental and non accepting.   I am reminded that church is not a place where there are perfect people (thankfully) but people growing daily and being crafted and shaped by the Lord into what HE wants them to be and it is a process.  

I also find it interesting that the double standard doesn't seem to get charged with a foul.  "Do what I say not what I do" goes noticed by our kids.   This generation challenges everything and wants to know the validity of truth.   They are not going to hear us if we are not living it out and then we wonder why our kids of today are straying from their faith and straying from the church body. 

My testimony is thankfully pretty clean with a few minor bumps a long the way.  I remember a time though between my eigth grade and freshman year that I had a rebellious spirit towards the Lord.  I just wanted to do things my way and be "cooler " which meant conforming to the things of the world.  I listened to horrible music with horrible lyrics, wrote them down as if they were golden, spent way too much time focusing on me and my relationships with boys and friends and became colder to the Lord.  It wasn't until a Christian based summer basketball camp and a conversation with the coach where I realized how much my life was going in the wrong direction.  He gave me a little devotional book and encouraged me to live my life in a way that was pleasing to God.  My parents did everything right, we were a church going family, they loved on our family and loved the Lord, but the enemy still crept in while I was on my own.  I wonder how long I would have stayed in my rebellion if someone else wouldn't have invested time into my heart and encouraged me along the way.  If he would have been judgemental and condemning of my current heart state, how differently the outcome might have been.  A stepping stone in my journey that along the way was reinforced by Godly adults in my life that loved me through my faults, and cared enough to extend grace and love.

I pray that my kids and their friends know they are loved and accepted no matter what.  I pray that my life is an example of God's truth and love so that the words that come out of my mouth fall on open ears.  I pray that if my children walk down a path at some point where the world has taken hold of them and making unwise choices that there would be an army of loving parents that would come along side and show them love and acceptance and the true love of Christ.   I pray that my heart would be open always to the shaping of my heart by God's hand.  Help me not to live in fear of my children's own testimony and that whatever comes their way in time you will turn it to good for Your glory.

I hope this post was encouraging and convicting at the same time.  I hope that we can all work together as parents to love our kids and be Godly examples for them so that together we can raise up kids that love the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind. 

 Psalm 56:3-4

When I am afraid I will trust in You

In God (I will praise His word)

In God I have put my trust:

I will not fear

What can flesh do to me?

Walk Around Mt. Hood

Mount Hood 2.5 days 42 Miles... DONE 

Labor Day Wknd 2012

I only got severely angry one time when I thought I was going to die in a canyon, after taking a wrong turn.  I then fell and cut my wrist.. All for love..  Am I glad I did this trip? yes.. Will I do it again?? No.

Misery Miles on Dog Mountain

Dog Mountain- If you read my post from the other day I mentioned we are training for a walk around Mt. Hood.   I've been doing a lot of long distance walking this summer and feel I'm ready endurance wise as well as going up and down hills, but we needed to test our packs and boots out as well as get some major cardio and leg workout.  Dog Mountain is perfect for that kind of order.

I haven't climbed Dog Mountain since 1994 when I was trying to impress my then boyfriend Ward.  My family free time growing up did not include hiking or outdoorsy adventures unless it was on a sports field or next to a pool.   I only remember 3 things of that hike in 1994, a picture we took, me holding on to Ward's fanny pack as he pulled me up a steep section of the hill and finally lounging for 10 minutes at the top with the great view and wild flowers.   Everything else of that 6 mile quad killer hike is a blur.

This time was going to be different.. no helping me up this hill.  This is what we looked like at our 1.75 mile rest stop.  Ward was playing it up for the camera.. I was not.   Ward has always been this super human on mountains... on a side I can crush him in tanning by the pool and Marco polo.

Misery

At this point I'm a little discouraged because I thought I was in better shape.  One would think after logging nearly 90 miles in the last 7 weeks I would be a size 3, but that is the painful reality of exercise and the reason new years resolutions usually fail I guess.   Walking up this grade of a slope without places where it flattens out for very long is really challenging.


Emerging From The Forest

But a little portion of a Snickers bar and some water gives us a boost and we are on our way.  We finally crest out of the forest to the top of the first viewpoint.  If I wasn't competitive and didn't like to finish things I would have been happy to stop there, especially after Ward points out where the summit is which looks days away from our current pit stop.  It was this stretch that I named Fanny Pack Trail explained above, but this time I had no option as my "guide" was .25 miles ahead.   A little tail wind helped me but that left at the switch back and I was greeted with pounding gorge winds.   None the less with the dry grassy slope and my "guide" up ahead with this pack I couldn't help pretend I was part of the Von Trapp family escaping from the Nazi's going over the Alps to freedom.  It was exactly like the closing frames of "The Sound of Music" minus the leiderhosen and seven singing children.  Hallucination is common with fatigue I hear.

With .4 miles to go I spot another hiker coming down our direction.  He was very far away and small in the distance but not small enough for me to notice what appeared to be a black cast like boot on his left foot.  I said to myself.. "that a man is NOT hiking up here in a walking cast!!"  How defeating for us able bodied hikers who are at hallucination state.   As we approached we found that sure enough I see his foot casted up.  To make it more horrific the other shoe of choice for "Hercules" was a Crock!  He was nice enough to let me take his picture, and I told him he has put me to shame... which he laughed and told us how he broke his tibia on another hike.

Up and around the bend we finally crested and, despite the cat 5 wind gusts as it seemed, were the only ones there on top of the world. 

The way back down will I'M SURE be much easier!! keep reading.. 

 

It is really hard to train for constant downhill and rocky surface.  I don't think my legs have ever hurt that bad or at least since college volleyball.  We had to hurry because we kind of cut ourselves short on time, went the .6 longer route back (not recommended for enjoyment) and it was getting dark.  I was leading us down and about 4 minutes into the walk I hear "WHOA" from behind me. 

 "What happened?"

Ward says "Did you see that???" A snake just slithered right behind your boots"!!

"UM THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE REMINDING ME OF SNAKES!!!!"

I asked him to keep those sightings to himself next time as I'd rather NOT know. 

The mental intensity increased at that point as I was scanning all areas and trying not to think of snakes and freaking myself out. 

 I'm also placing myself in Season 2 of LOST where they find themselves walking for days and being chased by the Smoke Monster.  

 

With literally minutes to spare with darkness setting in.. we FINALLY see our car.  It's the only one left in the lot.  I was glad to see that because then I knew that "Hercules" was not stranded somewhere on the side of the mountain with is cast and Crock shoe, which also meant it was food time.  We stopped in nearby Stevenson and shared THEE BEST Reuben Sandwich and Salad.   Any food would have tasted good at this point, but this sandwich was a winner. 

To cap of the day we walk out of the restaurant and spot this.

They didn't even bark or budge while being photoed.. just two old dogs on a road trip I guess.

 

Training for Walk around Mt. Hood.. What? Why?

The June Kick Off Hike and the face of enthusiasm..
 Be VERY careful using this face!

Heads up there are going to be some major postings in the next week about Mt. Hood and me walking around it!  Why? Because I love my husband and he promised I'd come home a few pounds less.. DONE!  It was a simple June hike where I apparently showed  a little too much enthusiasm and appreciation for beautiful Oregon country.  That evening back home and tuckered out, I caught him online checking out double sleeping bags and trail maps.   

So over the summer I've logged many miles and done several hikes.  Our final training hike tomorrow will be with packs on, up Dog Mountain, which by the way we did 18 years ago while I was trying to impress him as a newly engaged couple.  All I remember about Dog Mountain was wishing I had a dog to pull me, grabbing on to Ward's belt buckle instead as he pulled me up the hill, being humiliated by the 78 year old with a walking stick plowing up the hill, and finally the beautiful view at the top of the Columbia Gorge.  I'm anxious to test my improvement tomorrow.   Since mid July I have logged over 80 miles or more and finally and have reached the point I look forward to my long walks and accomplishing a route.  

I was greeted with bad news from Ward the other day, that we will be sleeping under a TARP like tent.. WHAT?? Is it not bad enough that we are sleeping on the side of Mt. Hood in a tent.. now we are talking Tarp!? That was almost a deal breaker for me.  I'm going to be praying and HUNTING for a vacant hunters cabin the whole way.. seriously.   The other thing I'm VERY concerned and tormented by is the bathroom facilities or lack there of.. and finally if you read my post on my fears you know Snakes and Creepy People are very high on the list!!  We will not be in bear country thankfully, but I will be taking Bear Spray for the fears.  The trip should take us about 40 miles around the mountain, through some streams and at an elevation of who knows what.  

The only thing I asked him was to please make sure we were not on the 5:00 news!!

We've all seen those people.. ugh. stay tuned.



The New Boots

9.2 training hike in Portland Hills
 

Click Here If You Want To Read About My Other Fears of Life!



I Took a Walk and Came Home With A Lexus

My normal walk doesn't usually lead me to the car repair store, but it did last week when I had to walk 4 miles to pick up the loaner car after Bertha sounded like she was on her last wheel.  I always marveled that my 2002 Dodge GRAND Caravan SPORT has not needed too much work over the years.  She's paid off and overall has been good to us, minus the brief slippage of loyalty when we had to replace her transmission a few years back. Ever since that repair an unsightly sound occurs when turning on the AC.  It's so loud that on a recent trip to Taco Bell I had to turn off the AC so that the lady could hear me.  If you are concerned about the fact I was at Taco Bell again, please read the first sentence again and know that I try to maintain caloric balance while still enjoying the occasional "run for the border".  

After realizing the duration of the fixing is now going on day 5, they offered a loaner car.  I walk the 4 miles to get my loaner and find at the end of the rainbow is a Lexus. If I got a Lexus every time I took a long walk or any other fancy car for a ride home I might be skinnier. It doesn't matter that it had 196k miles on it, or that there was a rip in the console..from the outside it looks to be a sweet ride.   Come to find out it's a very low ride, as if I'm just skimming the pavement especially after being perched high off the ground for 10 years in Bertha! 

My first night with the Lexus I had an outdoor concert in the country.  I'm dressed up, sunglasses on, sunroof open and feeling like Lexus Loaner car is providing me some much desired respect here on the road.  I haven't felt like this in years! Not to mention the smooth corners I'm taking and the shocks that work beautifully on any slight bump of the road.  SHOOT I must have missed my turn!! I quickly find the nearest turn around spot so I can check my phone to see where my pin is supposed to be.  I pull into the only place in the area, a Saloon restaurant/bar, of course with Harley's lined up and enough long hair to complete a year of donations to Locks of Love.   Suddenly fancy Lexus doesn't seem like the right car for this moment and there is no real turn around.  Movies are flashing through my head where the city chick backs up and dominos all the bikes.   Thankfully, I didn't cause trouble and I found my pin and was on my way.

That's Bertha At The Car Hospital

Bertha seemed to have real problems and Lexus Loaner was getting pretty comfortable with us so comfortable that by day 4 she was now LuAnne the Lexus Loaner.   Strange how I felt like I needed to go get my  hair and nails done and conduct business deals all of a sudden.  LuAnne did several things; she went to the mall, to church, to dinner, to the store, picked up kids and attempted to go to garage sales which really threw her over the edge of "out of the box" behavior.  It was there I realized LuAnn was not for me.   I wanted Bertha back!  

When we went to get Bertha and check her out of car hospital she wasn't ready.  In fact she was on her way to the airport on a test drive.. which I forgot to tell them her gas gauge was broken and didn't work.  He then had an "ah ha" moment as he figured out why Bertha and his 21 year old worker were on the side of the highway with no gas even though the tank said 1/2 full. (oops sorry).   Three more days with LuAnne and we come back to pick up Bertha and she is ready.  I guess the proud moment of her not costing us a lot over the years and her being paid off came to a end when the $2000 bill came to release her.. See when they plugged her into the computer over 10 warnings popped up.. which explains the check engine light on and why we haven't had to pay for much over the years.   At that point I'm thinking ok maybe LuAnne would be better and we can just trade her for LuAnn, but for some reason they didn't want to do that.  

I get my Bertha key and open her up and WOW someone has gotten a spa treatment while she's been in the hospital!  In fact, whoever was cleaning out the car and vacuuming, did it so well I was a little uncomfortable with how thorough they were.  In fact ALL my belongings were in a trash bag in the trunk!  If I would have known they were going to do THAT I would have primped her up a little more.. poor dear.. so violated! I will say she looks fabulous, but seeing what was in that bag from under my seats and what they had to dig through was like going to the doctor for a hangnail and realizing they want to do a full exam and you forgot to shave your legs for 3 months bad.  I still think it's really strange and I almost feel like there may have been something fishy going on with my completely gutted clean car and a trip to the airport and it taking a total of 12 days to fix her!!   Did Bertha go on a trip? Did they take her to do cookies at the beach? Was that why there was gritty sand on the dash? Is this considered elder abuse?  I don't know.. I'm not going to go there.. she is back in my driveway after a brief return to the ER this afternoon.. but all is well now.  Actually, the "doc" called tonight form the shop to see how she was doing! I thought that was nice.  Tomorrow I will once again sit high above the road and hunt for garage sales but in a very clean car and healthy car.

Jam Festival July 2012

A fun night in a perfect spot in the country. 

This was my first year singing at the Scholls Community Church's "Jam Fest". 

A wonderful evening with a great bunch of people. 

The church is located right next to a berry picking U-pick farm- hence the name of the event. 

The Horror of Vomit Saved by a Pinterest Pin

Something I actually did from pinning on Pinterest!

So Pinterest.. we all know that a lot of pinning is going on but not a lot of doing.  I started laughing to myself as I was pinning away and realized I spent so much time pinning and had so many "to do's" on my great ideas board that it would take a year just to implement all these ideas!  I limit myself now to a few minutes a day to pin unless I'm on a hunt for a specific idea.   I recently added a board that is labeled "We tried it and Loved it" I think to motivate myself actually try the recipe I pinned and then move it over to the other board.  Maybe I should start a board called "Did It".

Anyway, I have put into action a few of the good ideas and one was this waste basket car bin used from a cereal container.  I was so excited to get this as my old car Bertha is constantly a trash collector!  I bought two.. one for my car and my husband's car.  He didn't gravitate towards the idea so much until it was actually used and put into major action in a horrific moment for him on our trip.  

Something about 3 kids in the "business" car on a road trip that will make any man tense.  You know when someone on a road trip says "I'm sick" you normally have about 5 minutes to pull over and get them out to recovery?  Well my youngest who is 10 says those words and then 2 seconds later is vomiting in what looked like a horror film.  God bless whoever put the stray towel back there.. oh yeah that was me.. but the true gift was from my pinning from Pinterest and getting the idea from Better Home's and Gardens website!  The lined waste basket was right next to him.  "GRAB THE WASTE BASKET AND PUT YOUR MOUTH IN THE SMALL HOLE...NOW!!".  He did and hurled again only this time it was conveniently collected in the lined cereal container.  We stopped and realized the towel got most of the other spew and I lift the lid (made an ugly face) and removed the plastic bag and tossed it.. and the towel..that easy!! 

This is not my car but a link to the BH&G page.

I Still Believe Live

I just did an outdoor concert on a perfect sunny night, really sunny! The stage looked right into the sunset making it a bit hard to see.  In Oregon we are just thankful an outdoor event doesn't get rained upon so no complaints here.

My video posted below is called "I Still Believe" you can download the song on I-tunes.

The video was taken by a 10 year old who meant really well and did a great job keeping it running.. however it is a little wobbly :) that's okay though.

Dave Gauthier

Jim Beven

Lulu and Henry

I started a new hobby side business.  You might ask.. "Aren't you already doing enough with music, being a mom, wife, blogger, wanna be actress, and part time run walker?  Well I will ask you.. do any of those things even tap into the budget for a teenager who wants to buy things 24/7..??answer... no.   Gosh one Jamba Juice costs what I used to get for babysitting for a  whole afternoon!

I have always always loved to paint.  I like painting walls, dressers, tables, chairs, desks etc.  I love making old or ugly things cuter.  I wanted to extend an invited to follow my new blog Lulu & Henry and for you to check out my furniture I've sold and am working on.   

Largest Hanging Basket In The World

The Garden Corner.. Cheap Therapy

I've never been a green thumb, in fact, I look at a plant in my yard and it seems to start dehydrating and curling up on the ends.  I still try though, and hope one day through much trial and error, reading, learning from others and looking for good ideas it will pay off.  I decided this year to try fertilizing the plants on a regular basis however. 

 I think part of the problem is I have never lived in the same house for more than 5 years so just about the time I'm starting to see the fruits of my labor we leave it.  I'm sure if I visited many of my old homes I would be more encouraged seeing how things have progressed.    One of my favorite things to do is visit The Garden Corner.  Every year they get more creative, more flowers, more beautiful displays.  It is a great place just to walk around and get flower therapy, at least on a sunny day.  Walking through you will get so many ideas and even a free cup of Illy's coffee or foo foo coffee drink that John the owner likes to make himself.  Each year he also likes to come up with something bigger and better.   2012 he unveiled the largest hanging basket in the world!!  It's not for sale.

My 5'2 Mom Next to the Giant Basket!

One thing I'm always blown away by at the Garden Corner is the HUGE planters and fountains displayed. As you weave through on the deck path every corner has something interesting to look at. If I have to complain (and I don't) it's that prices are a little higher than other box stores, but the plants are super healthy, unless of course your hired help to do a "one time clean up" can't recognize a starter plant from a weed, which makes it much more expensive in the end!

Hanging framed plants, perfect for a wall or fence!

To find the Garden Corner:  http://www.thegardencorner.com/
 21550 Southwest 108th Avenue Tualatin, OR 97062
(503) 885-1934

My Great Little Find

So I love to garage sale and this is what I found!

Sanded, Primed, Aqua Paint, sprayed the nobs and now it's cute!!

Now I just need to find a buyer in the Portland Area..

Today I added the lined Black & White Fabric.. I love it more now.. but will still sell.

And shortly after listing it I found the perfect buyer.  She immediately sent me a picture of it placed in her living room. Love it!! With those great pillows it looks like a match made in heaven!

The Near T-Bone From Granny & Bertha's Envy

Yesterday, I was nearly T-boned by this beauty! Actually, I wasn't following her on purpose in revenge mode,  I turned the corner and found myself right behind her (and I wasn't the one taking the pictures).  First of all.. I LOVE her car.. secondly.. she was about 100 and barely could see over the wheel...hence the near T-bone!

Upon closer inspection we find that she has been a proud AAA member for decades!  Which I am also a proud member and that membership got me a extra percentage on my Payless shoe source purchase yesterday, which by the way was where the "grannymobile" nearly T-boned me...ironic.

 

It wouldn't have been so bad I guess if she would have hit Bertha my ugly tan van, but I wasn't driving that car.. I was driving the NEW Dodge GRAND Caravan in White something that put poor Bertha to shame and deep depression early this morning when I pulled it into the driveway. 

The new body style is much more robust! The side windows go down!

The doors automaticly slide

and nothing is broken!!! Bertha was green with envy...

Bertha is on the Left..

Finally!! I look cool with all the other mom's in the lot!!

(see the white shiny one!?) Bertha would have looked like a bag lady in that lineup..

The Interior Was FRESH, CLEAN, LEATHER, DREAMY!!!

But it wasn't mine... it was a RENTAL!

I was supposed to get a small econonmy car to save gas but when I got there, as if it was the best news in the world, they say "we've upgraded you to a medium size car at no extra charge!"  My choice now was a VAN or a small pickup.. are you kidding me?  They were still having their celebration of customor service and selling me on the joys of driving a van when I crushed that party and said "Funny, I drive a Dodge van EVERY DAY!!! and it gets HORRIBLE gas miliage"

  (as she is erasing the box she checked indicating customer satisfaction)

Regardless it was better than the pick-up and once inside I begin to celebrate as well...as this was no ordinary van. I took my prideful car on my day journey and back and realized

I HATE VANS !!!

I would never ever in a million years buy a van again!! Ok.. maybe an Odyssey..  But that's it. 

We bought our Dodge GRAND caravan in 2001 when our 3 kids were wee ones.  The only thing that sold me was that it featured LUXERY built in car seats!! It was glorious..HOWEVER that luxery stopped there as tape deck guy was still employed and won out on the debate of WHEN people would NOT want tape decks in their car!   I bet you 2002, that guy was out of a job and CD man was taking his family to Hawaii! 

127,000 miles later that tan van Bertha has seen her day and made her memories BUT I still own her and even though a fancy white new lady tried to push her aside and make Bertha feel insufficient.. practicality wins out again.