dreaming big

Ever since Delsie and I became a team, I made a mental note that we were going to always educate people when the opportunity presented itself. Today I was asked to perform in a womans conference that carried the title, "in The Spirit of Truth". For some reason, this has prompted me to acknowledge the lies that I listen to when I am dreaming big. Delsie and I have appeared on TV, the radio and numerous classrooms of elementary and middle schools. I don't know the impact, if any, we have made but I do know I need to stop listening to the lies and listen to my dreams...it's never too late.

This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago as Miss Kempf asked me and D to visit her 3rd grade classroom. It was the first class to hear my book. As Miss Kempf began to read it, I saw a 3rd grader eyes as big as saucers while he nudged a classmate seated next to him asking, "she's an author?!!".

After today I know I'm more than author...I am a child of God.

Hail, no!

Weather is a universal language. We all resort to it as a "pick-me-up" in a conversation that seems to be going nowhere. After tonight's weather people are going to have A LOT to talk about tomorrow around the water cooler. (and yes, my office has a water cooler)

These photos were taken about ten minutes ago. If you can't make it out, these are piles of hail accumulated on my deck. The weather is BIZARRE.

After work I took D for a walk while it was in the high 70's. I spray painted a lamp in my back yard and it was sunny yet windy. A half hour later the TV stations are saturated with warnings. Another half an hour and the rain is coming down in sheets. It is during this time that my dear friend, Chris, calls to say he is coming over to move my outdoor furniture to the garage. Thank goodness he did because I think the table with the umbrella would have smashed through my kitchen window tonight. It's now lightening and thundering...with intermittent down pours...

this is meteorologist Holly, signing off...

obsession.

Meet Brad Womack. The 11th bachelor for the TV show, The Bachelor. It is about this time that I become infatuated with the guy who ABC has chosen to find that one true love. Call me a hopeless or hopeful? (I never really understand why it is called hopeless) romantic but it is typically this time in the season that I grow to love the guy. It is usually with every dramatic rose ceremony that I have convinced myself that I would be offered the rose, take him to my home town and share all his one on one dates with him if he only would have met me. I certainly wouldn't cry on camera about how I want to be married and pregnant. I wouldn't boast about being a Christian girl while he is doing a body shot off of me. I would pride myself on not calling the other girls names as I understood that going into it my chances were one out of twenty-five.

Let's face it. I would thrive on being the therapist in the limo, talking with the girl who thought they would spend the rest of their life with him but instead, just got kicked to the curb. I realize this addiction that I have to the whole process is wrong. I get that.

What I don't get this season is Brad. I am just not into him. Don't get me wrong, his body is to die for but his inflections would drive this girl to drink. I feel no substance to him.

Andy Baldwin(season 10 bachelor), will you accept this rose because you still have my heart. I heard you and Tessa broke off the engagement...

Thanks to my TiVo and a lame social life, I will be watching every episode until Brad chooses his love in what is seen as the most dramatic season of The Bachelor.

pumpkinfest

The first week of October marks a "festival" titled Pumkinfest in Zeeland.

Thursday was "Dinner On Us". The "us" part referred to the city council of Zeeland.

I think I've had three corn dogs my entire life. And I know why. The council certainly gets an "A" for effort. (or is that an "E"?)
The line for the free food went about as fast as my consumption of the corn dog. (I think the grease made it slide quick)

This year's theme was "stars of hollywood". Various "pumpkin statues" adorned the corners and you had to guess the actor. Although I wanted to be the winner of the free trip to Hollywood, it was next to impossible to see the resemblance in most of them.

I am so glad I am part of a family who can find amusement in anything we do. Pumpkinfest just happened to be the backdrop.

They tried.

I love her.

Seriously, I love her.
(I love my sister too but I am referring to Danika, my youngest niece)
Who in their right mind wouldn't?

My sister?I am in awe of Lo and her "skills" at motherhood.
I would have never wrote her book to include being a stay-at-home
mom to four kids under the age of seven but she is doing it with
such grace and style.

I am so proud to be an aunt of nine incredible nephews and nieces not to mention how grateful I am to be their moms' sister!