Well, okay, now aren’t you surprised???   While on the road, I had a  bright idea!  Mark is always teasing me about my small bladder and has urged me to write a book of America’s Cleanest Restrooms.  HaHa!  I pulled over to a rest area in Tenn. and thought, “Hey, why don’t I rate the rest areas along the way to NC!”

Here’s the rating system:

1_______________________________10

Poor                                                                            Great

Now, to set the record straight, I am not crazy; just tired from all the driving!  Okay, so I pull over, had this great idea and whip out the old camera.  How many women do you see snapping photos of rest area signs in the middle of the night???  Ahem??? Okay, after typing this out.. it does sound a little nuts!!  Oh well, I’m just having fun!!

So the first rest area I pulled into on I-40 just outside of Jackson, Tn has to be given a solid 5.

I had to try three different soap dispensers to find soap.  The floor could use a good sweeping and quite frankly, the restroom itself was a little on the cold side.  We gals don’t like freezing our tushies off!!  Well, I guess the next rest area will have to score just a little higher…

Oh by the way, I have always liked the rest areas along I-40 in Tn… Arkansas???  Not so much!!  I hate to admit it but Arkansas has a thing or two to learn from the Tn rest areas!!!

So, 52 miles later, I make my way to the second rest area… Again, strange looks were happening as I whipped out my camera.  What??  Haven’t you seen a lady with a camera before????

This rest area I sadly must rate it a mere 1.  I know, I was disappointed, too!!

The potties were a weeeee weeee bit dirty..yes, pun intended!  The counter was wet and well.. I really didn’t enjoy having the sink sprinkle me all over!!  And HOT!!  Can I just say… yucky hot!!!

Okay Tn, you are letting me down!!  Perhaps tomorrow you can redeem yourself!!

Well, if you haven’t guessed, I have decided to continue to blog!  Especially after my sweet hubby reminded me that he had me ready to rock-n-roll with live blog feed.  I will be able to keep you posted with up to date posts!!  I am so excited!  Technology just blows me away sometimes!!

God Bless….

This is the 2nd year for me to attend the She Speaks Conference.  I can’t wait to learn all the neat stuff about women’s ministry and becoming a published author.  I will be sure to keep everyone up to date on Twitter and Facebook as to what I’m up to and who I am rubbing elbows with..

I just hate packing.  I hate all the stuff you gotta do to get ready. If I could fit all my critters in a suitcase, they would take the 1st place slot on my Top 10 list.  But since our van alone isn’t big enough for all my 4 legged friends, this list will have to do…

Top 10 Items Packed for She Speaks

10.  Comfy shoes… there is nothing more uncomfortable than dress shoes.  I have never been a clothing DIVA so business casual gives me a headache.  I have taken the word “casual” to the literal sense.  If I could get away with my sneeks I would, so I have opted for flip-flops instead.  Besides, no one wants to see me coming in heels..unless they are willing to win America’s Funniest Videos.  I am that big of a klutz.

9.  Casual Clothes…  My philosophy on clothing is strictly wearing for comfort.  I guess it comes from the many years of teaching.  When you are on your feet all day.. comfort is the only way to go.  I did manage to go shopping last week for some cute comfy capri outfits.  I will look adorable!!  EEK!  Think my ego is working on overdrive!!

8.  Epi-Pens…  Since I am not cooking at the conference and I know how Satan likes to trip me up…I have my epi pen ready to go!  Would hate to end up in the hospital after eating something…

7.  Good Books..  Whenever I travel, I always bring along a book or two to read.  On this trip, I am bringing along The Good Book, my Bible and The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

6.  My Swimsuit.. Hoping to catch a few rays of sunshine.  Anyone sitting next to me while sunbathing may want to put on extra sunscreen.  I am like a giant sun reflector machine..perhaps  I should pack my self tanning cream…hang on let me go get it..

5.  Self-Tanner… hate to be responsible for giving someone a sun burn.

4.  My Curling Iron…UGH!  Hair appointment fell the week after She Speaks!!  So I gotta curl my “long” hair!! Wish I could go spiky!

3.  Extra Hold Super Freeze Hairspray…humidity…gals should I say more??

2.  My Camera.. gotta document who  I meet!!  I mean last year I was sitting next to the Antique Mommy and didn’t even know it!  Wish I had my camera!!!  Sorta like the time I met Nicole C. Mullen..got my picture taken with her!  LOVE HER!!

1.  My Article.. this year I am in the writer’s circle.  I will be meeting professionals from the publishing world.  I hope to get noticed!  Send some prayers my way!!

Well, needless to say, I won’t be blogging until next Wednesday.  However, I will be tweeting and on FB!!  Make sure you check that out!!

God Bless…

Before I drag out my soap box..I want to congratulate my friend Hillary.  She has the blog, The Other Mama, and yesterday she had a baby girl.  Hillary, enjoy the beautiful gift from God.

Now, let me go get the soap box.  I have something very important to say..like always…ahem..

As you know, the American lifestyle is obese.  We have heard it countless times over the news and for many, like myself, are wearing the evidence around our midsection.  All the experts in the medical field are screaming for us to eat healthier and to lose weight.  I can not agree more.

I have dropped a pants size since I started eating vegetarian.  I feel better already just knowing that the fresh foods are supplying the energy I need to live throughout my busy day.  And it has been easy to make the switch.  I am buying most of my veggies from local produce stands in my community.  But, I realized something.. summer is almost over and well… the stands will be gone.

Upon realizing that my time is going to be cut shorter than I’m ready, I decided to find healthy alternatives in my grocers’ frozen veggie section.  I was shocked…  Most frozen vegetables are affordable and I can most definitely fit them into my budget.  But what I discovered really upset me…  the veggies that were around the $1 mark were mostly the stems, leftover pieces, and the portions of less nutritional value.  For example Broccoli.  The  $1 bag was stems with just a few florets.  The $2 bag was mostly florets with just a few stems but the florets were small.  The bag that was $3 had the biggest and greenest florets and practically no stems.

Then I realized something even more…we are told to eat whole wheat/ whole grain breads because the white breads are mostly sugar.  So, do the experts realize that on a tight budget white bread may be the only kind of bread affordable for some Americans?  The whole wheat/whole grain breads run from$3-$5.   That is a big difference from the 68 cent white loaf… of course the white loaf is much bigger too.  So if you are feeding a large family with lots of kids…the 68 cent loaf is more economical.

OH and don’t get me started on the whole cost comparison of a gallon milk verses a 2 liter soda..

This is a real problem..  I watched a segment from Dr. Oz the other day talking about the diabetic epidemic we are facing here in America.  He preached on the importance of eating less sugar in a day’s time.  It amazed me how much sugar is consumed and is hidden in plain sight.  He explained the sugar turns into “shards of glass” in our blood streams and causes clotting.  I sat in horror especially when he explained that the number one reason the lower income citizens of this great nation is obese is because of the cost.  I know we have felt the difference in the budget going from fake to fresh.

Isn’t it time to make a few changes around here???  I mean come on… I want to provide the best for my family and yet I am still having to make a few choices based on price.  If you can feed a family of 4 off the dollar menu at McDonald’s cheaper than a high fiber, green, fresher, nutrient packed, meal, I think something is messed up!

We have been fortunate to be able to afford our switch.  But there are many Americans out there that are not as lucky.  With that, my heart breaks.  Well, guess it is time for the old soap box to be put away.  It is time America to demand the very best at a reasonable cost.

In the spirit of the television season, I took a walk down memory lane today and I found one of my favorite posts…..  I would like to share it with you today…..This was written on August 24, 2009…… Enjoy!!

This morning, I awoke refreshed. It must have something to  do with the cool nights we have been having.  Slept like a baby in the cool room with the fresh air breezing in the open windows.  The dew smelled fresh and the sunlight glistened from the dewdrops on the freshly cut blades of grass.  AHHHH, what a beautiful morning.

Stretching and praising God for a new beginning, I made my way into the kitchen, where the daily grind always waits for me.  There’s lunches to be made, breakfast to be cooked, and kids plus hubby to shuttle out the door barking orders to have a good day, play nice and expressions of love being blown through the screen door.

For some strange reason, I grew impatient to do the laundry this morning.  Hurrying the washing machine along,  I had three loads ready and waiting to be hung by 8:00. As soon as I rounded the house towards the clothesline, I heard such sweet music.  Gentle breezes kissed the leaves of the surrounding trees.  A glimmer of sunshine dances along the grass to the sweet heavenly melody made by the songbirds. Smiling at the wonders of the morning, I began hanging each piece of clothing.

Overwhelmed by the songbirds melodies, I spontaneously began to hum.  Amazing Grace….how sweet the sound….Realizing what I was humming, I began to bellow out the words and in complete harmony with the sweet cardinals and robins.  That saved a wretch like me……..I once was lost…. but now I am found….. was blind…. but now I see……

There we were in the early morning hours honoring God with a concert…. just me and the birds.  The wind and the sunshine danced as we sang.  Could it be a better beginning?  When the last shirt was hung, I turned and took a bow.  Sparing God my imitation of Elvis Presley’s “Thank Ya… Thank Ya… very much,” I simply said, “Thanks for the beautiful morning, sweet Jesus.”

God Bless….

Drum roll please….and the Freezer Weiner  Winner is…((drumming my fingers on the computer table)).. Clarissa.  Thanks Clarissa for participating in the challenge.  Your cook book is on it’s way! 

Notice there is an “s” at the end of the title of today’s post.  We are all winners.  No matter how bad we feel… No matter our circumstances…No matter what situation we find our choices placed us.. We are winners in God’s eyes. 

***

Someone has been on my mind… there isn’t a name to be uttered… just a strong feeling that God’s words need to be spoken:

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  1 Peter 1″:6-7

Dear Friend whoever you are know that I am praying….

Yippie!!!!  It’s Friday!!!  And you gotta know what that means!!  I am participating AGAIN in my B-F-F’s blog carnival, Friday Favorites!!  Hillary…girl… your the bomb!!  I look forward to posting each and every week!!!  Head on over my BFF’s Blog, The Other Mama..I promise you will like it!

This week has been one of those great weeks.  The sun is out and the temps are climbing!!  And it’s been the first full week I’ve adorned my toes and worn my favorite shoes..the original Birkenstocks!  Of course there’s a story to my favorite shoes…

When I say they are originals, I mean they are originals!!  Now the Birkenstocks sandals have been around since the 1700′s in Germany… so I am loosely using the word original to mean 1987.  Back in those days, finding shoes to fit my enormous “men” feet was a challenge.  Wearing a size 11 caused many unsuccessful shoe purchases in the 80′s.  The Birkenstocks [I call them my Jesus shoes.] were breaking out in popularity among the medical peeps in the early 80′s and by 87 I had to have a pair.  I saved up my money and headed to the mall.  Crushed because the shoe stores only carried a size 9 in women’s Jesus shoes, I had practically given up hope.  Then I had a bright idea..

Looking around to make sure I wouldn’t be seen..taking a deep breath, I went into a men’s shoe store.  I found what I was looking for..Jesus shoes that will fit my big ol’ foot!!  I began to rehearse a story if caught buying shoes in the men’s store… I’m buying them for my dad; it’s his birthday…I thought I would be a nice sister and buy them for my little bro…  Nervously, I made the purchase and escaped the store without being seen…Whew!!

Well, I have worn them, well.. for years!!  23 years to be exact!!  And I look forward every spring to pull them out of the closet.  They are too old to wear all year round!! I remember scrapping up the hundred plus dollars to make the purchase…well, needless to say I have gotten my money’s worth out of them!!

And my Jesus shoes are never complete without my toe rings!!  I LOVE my toe rings.. and guess what.. there’s a story behind those wonderful pieces of jewelry!!  HMM, imagine that..

I was teaching at the time.  Now, Middle School had become notorious for being the rebellious staff.  We never caused too much trouble but we had our ways of getting our points across…creative and clever would be the adjectives I would use to describe us, teachers… not rebellious!  Anyway, a memo from the board members was being circulated throughout our campus.  We were no longer allowed to wear rings except for a single wedding band… I know.. completely ridiculous!!

As a protest, we decked our toes with toe rings..every toe.   We couldn’t wear our engagement rings with our wedding bands …and there was nothing said about toe rings!!  So the next day we all wore our sandals with glittering jeweled toes…I’m such a rebel!!

So every Spring when I put on my toe rings I think of the “hippy,” “peaceful” protest!!  Oh such fond memories!!  Oh and by the way..What kinda Jesus shoe wearin’, thinks-she’s-a-protester, gal doesn’t where a cross toe ring??

I’m so cool!!