Today I went with John on a field trip to the children's theater which gave me time to chat with his wonderful teacher a bit. She said the students' writing prompt for the morning was..."if you could ask any author any question, who would you ask and what would you ask them?"
Guess which "author" John chose?
ME!!!
Now, before you go searching amazon.com for my latest novel, there is no published work out there by me (unless you read the Kentucky Kernel at the University of Kentucky in the late '90s).
He is referring to none other than the author of this very BLOG as the one to whom he'd like to pose a question. In his eyes, banging away on this blog makes me very official.
And the question? Where is the blog reader who lives furthest away from us?
And the answer? India. I had a comment from somebody in New Delhi. I'm still in shock over that one.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Back to Bethlehem
It's cold and wet here, so I thought I'd share a story to warm your heart today!
The day after Thanksgiving, my family did a "Turkey Trot" at a park in KY. It wasn't an official organized race....just my family (there are about 19 of us) complete with race t-shirts and a half-mile course. It's a great park that gets decked out for the holidays--lights and Christmas displays all around the walking trail.
Before the "race" some of the kids wanted to do a warm up lap. Maddy tried to keep up with the boys, but couldn't and before long, she was lost. (We could still see her across the way, mind you, but she was clearly turned around and didn't know which way to go.)
When I got over to where she was, I could tell she was a little unnerved, but surprisingly not frazzled or upset. I gave her a big hug and asked her how she got lost.
"I was trying to run fast like the boys, but couldn't keep up with them! So, I got lost. But I went to the place where Jejus [Maddy code for Jesus] was born and I bowed down and asked God to please let me find a re-dult [Maddy code for adult] that I knew."
She had gone to the manger scene in the park (pictured above) and asked God for what she needed. Oh to have faith like a child!
My heart leapt within me! My daughter was lost and instead of getting frantic and worried, she went to JESUS! She knows the way.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
'Tis the Season...for school Christmas programs
I am so proud of my John--he was selected to be a part of a chorus to sing at the Nashville School Board Meeting tonight! (Now, whether he was chosen for his wide vocal range or his good behavior and low risk of humiliating the school before board members, I do not know...but I just will say that either way, I'm very proud!)
They've been practicing for weeks and tonight we went to see the group perform at the school board meeting. I have to say, I was blown away! I couldn't believe how sweet this very diverse group of public school kids looked as they sang these holiday tunes. They weren't the "traditional" Christmas songs we've all heard a million times--these were some fresh tunes that I'd never heard before. And let me tell you--they were harmonizing! There were parts! It was amazing! I didn't know my child was capable of these musical feats, but alas, he is!
Off to Applebee's to celebrate. Bless their heart, they gave all the kids a free meal. There were over 50 people there in our group between students, parents, and teachers/chaperones. It was WILD.
SO....all that to say, yes, I know that Biggest Loser is on and yes, I know I'm very committed to be blogging it, but it just might not get done tonight....
Other stuff going on with us....
**Maddy's having asthma issues. Pray for her! She was in bad shape last night--we were pretty close to taking her to the ER, but after another breathing treatment and lots of prayer...she improved. Oh, and yes, she's on oral steroids. Which means, she acts like she's on steroids. Which means I should expect some phone calls from the preschool this week when she takes somebody out on the playground for looking at her the wrong way.
**Will is darn cute. I mean it. SO stinkin' cute!!! He's started winking at me and I am in love.
**Sparkpeople is still a part of my life...even though it's the holidays. I even managed to lose 1/4 pound over Thanksgiving! (Look at that number again, please: Not 1 pound, not 4 pounds...but a quarter of a pound. And I was THRILLED. Seems small, but it's oh so much better than gaining which is my holiday norm!) I have officially lost that old friend "7 pounds" (see the original Sparkpeople post) and hope to keep going for a few more pounds to add a little buffer.
**Reading Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series. OH MY GOODNESS! It is amazing. It's become a bit obsessive. I don't want to eat or sleep or interact with the world--just read. Of course that's not possible, so I'm taking my time and enjoying the series.
They've been practicing for weeks and tonight we went to see the group perform at the school board meeting. I have to say, I was blown away! I couldn't believe how sweet this very diverse group of public school kids looked as they sang these holiday tunes. They weren't the "traditional" Christmas songs we've all heard a million times--these were some fresh tunes that I'd never heard before. And let me tell you--they were harmonizing! There were parts! It was amazing! I didn't know my child was capable of these musical feats, but alas, he is!
Off to Applebee's to celebrate. Bless their heart, they gave all the kids a free meal. There were over 50 people there in our group between students, parents, and teachers/chaperones. It was WILD.
SO....all that to say, yes, I know that Biggest Loser is on and yes, I know I'm very committed to be blogging it, but it just might not get done tonight....
Other stuff going on with us....
**Maddy's having asthma issues. Pray for her! She was in bad shape last night--we were pretty close to taking her to the ER, but after another breathing treatment and lots of prayer...she improved. Oh, and yes, she's on oral steroids. Which means, she acts like she's on steroids. Which means I should expect some phone calls from the preschool this week when she takes somebody out on the playground for looking at her the wrong way.
**Will is darn cute. I mean it. SO stinkin' cute!!! He's started winking at me and I am in love.
**Sparkpeople is still a part of my life...even though it's the holidays. I even managed to lose 1/4 pound over Thanksgiving! (Look at that number again, please: Not 1 pound, not 4 pounds...but a quarter of a pound. And I was THRILLED. Seems small, but it's oh so much better than gaining which is my holiday norm!) I have officially lost that old friend "7 pounds" (see the original Sparkpeople post) and hope to keep going for a few more pounds to add a little buffer.
**Reading Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series. OH MY GOODNESS! It is amazing. It's become a bit obsessive. I don't want to eat or sleep or interact with the world--just read. Of course that's not possible, so I'm taking my time and enjoying the series.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Treadmill + Cookie Dough = ????
Going to a cookie swap tonight. I made the dough this morning before I left for the Y to workout.
I picked up my friend Micah to go pound the treadmill and felt the need to alert her to the fact that I had just consumed an incalculable amount of cookie dough. Before I would drive any further, I needed assurance that if I upchucked on the treadmill she wouldn't abandon me. There's nothing worse than throwing up and having nobody there to console you. Am I right on that or what!
Thankfully I finished the workout, came home and cooked said cookie dough....well, part of it anyways. The rest is on my waist, hips and thighs.
Merry Christmas.
I picked up my friend Micah to go pound the treadmill and felt the need to alert her to the fact that I had just consumed an incalculable amount of cookie dough. Before I would drive any further, I needed assurance that if I upchucked on the treadmill she wouldn't abandon me. There's nothing worse than throwing up and having nobody there to console you. Am I right on that or what!
Thankfully I finished the workout, came home and cooked said cookie dough....well, part of it anyways. The rest is on my waist, hips and thighs.
Merry Christmas.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Biggest Loser, Week 11, Dec 2
NEW YORK CITY! Makeovers! Tyra Banks Show! Sounds like heaven. Well, maybe not heaven, but sounds pretty fun.
They all look fabulous with their new hairstyles and clothes! Heba is absolutely beautiful, don't you think? And I love Renee's hair short like that. She was too old to have hair that long before. Looks fab now!
Vicky seems to be straightening up a bit in this hour. Did you see this blog that was on yahoo's homepage today? She is making quite a name for herself this season as "Reality TV's Biggest Villain."
The Challenge
They have to wedge themselves between two pieces of plexiglass over a pool of water--about 12 feet up in the air. The person who hangs on longest gets a 2 week ranch vacation. (No, not the one that I lost earlier this week, a different one.) Vicky takes herself out of the competition right away and has some major aquaphobia going on. BUT she doesn't jump.....she just sits there and refuses to jump because she's afraid. One by one they all drop out except MICHELLE (YEAH FOR THE BLACK TEAM!).
Vicky sits up there still until Ed jumps in the water to help her. Not sure what that was all about. I couldn't tell if it was all a big show or play for sympathy or what. Your thoughts?
The Weigh In
Vicky: Lost 4 Pounds (down to 176 pounds)
Renee: Lost 4 Pounds (down to 195 pounds)
Michelle: Lost 5 Pounds (down to 171 pounds)
Ed: Lost 3 Pounds (down to 250)
Heba: Lost 7 Pounds (down to 217)
Looks like Ed & Renee will be in the elimination room...
Elimination
Renee is going home. She almost made it to the finals...but it was not meant to be.
Love her speech at the end! "I may not be the biggest loser, but I feel like I'm the biggest winner for being here." TEAR JERKER!
How's she look now?
Wowwee! She's lost 95 pounds. That's amazing. love her hair, makeup, wardrobe. She's doing great!
OK, people. We're almost done. Only 2 episodes left. Next week is a regular episode to figure out who will be in the finale and then there's the live finale!!!
They all look fabulous with their new hairstyles and clothes! Heba is absolutely beautiful, don't you think? And I love Renee's hair short like that. She was too old to have hair that long before. Looks fab now!
Vicky seems to be straightening up a bit in this hour. Did you see this blog that was on yahoo's homepage today? She is making quite a name for herself this season as "Reality TV's Biggest Villain."
The Challenge
They have to wedge themselves between two pieces of plexiglass over a pool of water--about 12 feet up in the air. The person who hangs on longest gets a 2 week ranch vacation. (No, not the one that I lost earlier this week, a different one.) Vicky takes herself out of the competition right away and has some major aquaphobia going on. BUT she doesn't jump.....she just sits there and refuses to jump because she's afraid. One by one they all drop out except MICHELLE (YEAH FOR THE BLACK TEAM!).
Vicky sits up there still until Ed jumps in the water to help her. Not sure what that was all about. I couldn't tell if it was all a big show or play for sympathy or what. Your thoughts?
The Weigh In
Vicky: Lost 4 Pounds (down to 176 pounds)
Renee: Lost 4 Pounds (down to 195 pounds)
Michelle: Lost 5 Pounds (down to 171 pounds)
Ed: Lost 3 Pounds (down to 250)
Heba: Lost 7 Pounds (down to 217)
Looks like Ed & Renee will be in the elimination room...
Elimination
Renee is going home. She almost made it to the finals...but it was not meant to be.
Love her speech at the end! "I may not be the biggest loser, but I feel like I'm the biggest winner for being here." TEAR JERKER!
How's she look now?
Wowwee! She's lost 95 pounds. That's amazing. love her hair, makeup, wardrobe. She's doing great!
OK, people. We're almost done. Only 2 episodes left. Next week is a regular episode to figure out who will be in the finale and then there's the live finale!!!
Monday, December 1, 2008
I'm The Biggest CONTEST Loser
I didn't win.
We're not going to Montana.
I'm not going to be giving Land's End Outerwear for Christmas.
You can read the winning entries here.
My sweet family has already started sending their condolences to me and cheering me up--
Keith (my bro) was the first to point out that the winners all played the sympathy card big time. My story was one of happiness and mirth. (Don't you just love when you get to use the word "mirth"?) Guess I'll know which way to write my next contest entry. Kleenex, anyone?
Beth (my sis) wrote the following in an email to me and I'm doing alright now. Thanks Sis!
"Well, I just looked on the web-site and saw that Ellen's entry was not a winner in the eyes of Land's End. But, she and her writing will always be a winner in my heart! I haven't read all of the winning entries yet that they posted, but I know that our family always has the most fun of anyone I know. Good try, Ellen! I guess we'll be getting something other than cashmere for Christmas."
We're not going to Montana.
I'm not going to be giving Land's End Outerwear for Christmas.
You can read the winning entries here.
My sweet family has already started sending their condolences to me and cheering me up--
Keith (my bro) was the first to point out that the winners all played the sympathy card big time. My story was one of happiness and mirth. (Don't you just love when you get to use the word "mirth"?) Guess I'll know which way to write my next contest entry. Kleenex, anyone?
Beth (my sis) wrote the following in an email to me and I'm doing alright now. Thanks Sis!
"Well, I just looked on the web-site and saw that Ellen's entry was not a winner in the eyes of Land's End. But, she and her writing will always be a winner in my heart! I haven't read all of the winning entries yet that they posted, but I know that our family always has the most fun of anyone I know. Good try, Ellen! I guess we'll be getting something other than cashmere for Christmas."
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