To infinity and beyoooooond!!!

I love my home. It's my haven. It's where I feel safe, comfortable and accepted. However, like most people, I'm not allowed to just "hang out" indefinitely. I can't hide out here forever.

The majority of my waking hours are spent at work and church. These both play very important roles in my life. You might even say they define me. It's not unusual for someone to ask, "So...where do YOU work?" or..."And where do YOU go to church?" They're both SUCH a big part of who I am and are what get me out of the bed in the mornings. They're what FORCE me to leave this haven each day. ;-]

Ironically, I'm feeling a bit of a shake up in BOTH of those vital areas of my life. I find it interesting that both "change-ups" are occurring simultaneously. You know what I think? It's absolutely nooooo mistake -- THAT'S what I think! It's forcing me to dig deep. It gives me that sensation that you get juuuuuuuust as a roller coaster is pulling away from the gate and slowly gaining speed. You realize that you're commited and there's no turning back now.

I want to be a part of something HUGE. I want to be a part of something that folks are talkin' about. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself and something that will last LONG after I'm gone.

Right now, I'm drawn to these particular verses in the Bible
(II Corinthians 4:16-18 - The Message) :

"So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever."

I want to be a part of the things I CAN'T SEE. The prayer that I seem to be looping constantly in my head lately is, "Lord, help me see the big picture."

I'd imagine you can file this under FRIVOLOUS

I've spoken before about my loveslashhate relationship with Rachael Ray. I watch her show daily BUT complain about her voice the ENTIRE time I'm watching! She cooks some great meals. Always has a wide variety of guests. Does some fashion-y stuff (which you KNOW I lurve!) and, best of all, Colby from Survivor is a regular correspondent/contributor to the show. (I'm a total sucker for Colby!)

Anyway, if you've ever watched her show you're familiar with the infamous garbage bowl that she keeps on her counter at all times. She doesn't believe in making multiple trips to the trash can during food prep.

Being the marketing genius that she OBVIOUSLY is, you can purchase a replica of her garbage bowl. I know, right?! What FOOL would purchase such a thing.



Um...guilty. (*insert sheepish grin*)

In my defense, it was on sale yesterday! How could I resist!!?

Sure, I COULDA just continued to keep a grocery store bag nearby to hold my vegetable peelings. But it wouldn't be NEARLY as cute and sassy...

You can PRETTY MUCH set your watch by it

I'm lucky enough to have a job that uses flexible hours during the summer months. It is possible to get all of your hours in during four days and THEN have Friday off. Isn't that GREAT?! (I think more businesses should do this. Except, of course, the places where I SHOP on my Fridays off. I very much want THEM to stay open!)

I have a schedule on these days of leisure. I rarely veer from it. It goes something like this:

* Wake up early...because I'm excited that I have the day off and I can't sleep in.

* Hit the gym...because it eases a little guilt from the days that I DIDN'T hit the gym prior to that.

* Go to Target...and praaaaay that I don't run into anyone I know who will have to see me sweaty and with no make-up. It's a chance I'm willing to take.

* Go to Library...because, duuuuhhhh, that's where they keep the BOOKS! I usually check out waaaay too many 14-day books and get a condescending look from the librarian that says, "I'm sooooo sure that you're going to read alllllll of these in two weeks."

* Eat a grilled chicken salad...Zaxby's is my fav!

* Wash down grilled chicken salad with cookies...to get taste of grilled chicken salad out of my mouth.

* Take a brief nap...because, have you NOT been paying attention? I just had an exasperating morning!!!!

* Fold a load of clothes...to make myself feel (if only for a brief fleeting moment) like I'm very domestic.

* Get myself presentable for a fun Friday night...I love having a date with my hubby!

That's about it. Pretty relaxing, huh? Sometimes I get WILD and throw in a bubble bath or hair appointment. :-]

Regardless, it's my mini-vacation each week and I sooooo look forward to it! I realize that I'm VERY lucky to have this day of me time.