In today's news, it was reported that someone asked the Royal Kate what she was hoping the baby would be...as in gender. She said she was hoping for a boy. The news went wild with this thinking that if it isn't a boy, the tabloids will say "Kate gives birth to the girl she didn't want." Please. Kate's longing for a boy is most likely rooted deep in British tradition of boys being born to carry on the royal name. But maybe, just maybe, Kate wants a boy that is just like William because she loves him so. The harassing of Diana's days still continue.
I personally believe that Kate will have a girl. Call it a hunch, but I just do. We need some girls up in here. So, since royalty seems to don a child with four names, I thought I'd submit my ideas for Royal Baby names....
If it's a girl, I would name her Carole Diana Elizabeth Rose. (You knew I had to get a Rose in there.) Carole is Kate's Mom's name, and the Diana name needs to continue. Elizabeth is not only the current Queen's name (and great grandmother to the baby), but is also Kate's Mom's middle name. And Rose, well, people, Rose is the best name on the planet.
If it's a boy, I would name him Michael William Philip Charles. Michael is Kate's Dad's name and William, well, that's the Prince's name. Philip is not only the great grandfather's name, but also part of William's full name. And Charles is a shout out to William's Dad, although I'm not a Charles fan.
So, here is today's Table Topic...
What names would you choose for the Royal Baby?
Discuss and carry on, commoners....
Monday, March 18, 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013
Five Minutes: Rest
Ready. Set. Write.
I have donned myself the Piddle Queen. I can piddle away hours of my life doing piddly things that don't amount a piddly. When I step off my Piddle Throne, I deal with guilt that I've squandered away valuable time that could have been better used.
Part of what I feel better about my piddle reign is that in some ways, this is a form of rest. I don't do well at resting. You'd think I was really good at this, but i'm not really. I am a night owl and find myself tired and fighting going to sleep because I can find a thousand other things to do. This is a trend from my childhood when I didn't sleep the night through until I was 3 years old. (Young mothers, be thankful for your apparent non-sleeping babies)
It's a Friday and I'm ready to rest after a week of work. I'm ready to curl up in my recliner and snuggie and rest my night away...all while wearing my Piddle Queen tiara and waving my magic wand to make all my chores and work disappear.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The Path That's Clear
One of my favorite illustrations on determining God's Will in our lives was described by Dr. TJ Betts. He says "God doesn't want His Will to be difficult to discern. Determining God's Will is not like an Easter Egg Hunt where you wander the yard while God is saying, 'Oh, you are getting warmer.' 'Oops, you are getting colder!' He wants to make His Will clear to His children." I lived this illustration recently and it's great to see how God works to make His Path for my life known.
We all have dreams and goals in life that we hope to accomplish, maybe it's your bucket list, maybe it's just a goal list...but we all have them. If you don't, you probably live a pretty mundane life. And sometimes we have goals or "bucket list" items that we don't put high on the list because at certain seasons of life, they just don't seem possible or even worth pursuing. Then it seems the path is cleared and you have no doubt which way to go.
For a long time in my life, I've dreamed of writing - writing a column, writing a book - just getting paid for doing what I love, even if just on the side. This blog fulfills that creative juices craving, and I had hoped it would lead to more opportunities. Along with that, I'd love to do more public speaking. I've been blessed to have many opportunities, but would love to do more. I've pursued some writing opportunities that hit dead ends, and just have felt like the door has been shut. The same has occurred with speaking opportunities. Some I've pursued, or some that approached me that never materialized. It was clear that was not the path...at least not at this time.
Also for a long time, I've toyed with the idea of getting my MBA. Every time I lose a job, I ponder returning to school. But I've always felt like it wasn't right or I didn't have a peace. After the first of this year, the idea returned, and I began to pray about it. I prayed very specifically that God would show me what to do. I even slated off a 3-day holiday weekend to "let" God provide His answer. I left that weekend without a clear yes ...but not a clear no either. So I decided to do what I had done with my other venture and take some steps forward and see what happened. In an unbelievable way, God continued to open doors and give me a peace about proceeding down this path. I truly don't understand it apart from God but I can tell you I have a complete confidence that this is the path I need to travel. Do I know how I'm going to make time for school, work and life? No, but I feel better knowing I'll be doing it completely online and the average hours per week it will take is manageable. Do I know how I'm going to pay for this without going into debt (or much debt?) No, not at all...short of a benefactor or Sugar Daddy. But, again, like the rest of this journey, I am trusting God to provide the money needed to fund this education. For the first time, I understand how people going on short-term mission trips have a peace even when they don't have the money. I know God will provide.
My visual for this (as I always seem to have a visual) is a field full of thickets. I enter the field carrying my sharpened machete ready to cut through the brush to get me where I'm going. One path is impossible to cut through. No matter how much I continue to whack away, the thickets remain. This is the path to my writing/public speaking dream. I move to another part of the field and begin to hack away at the brush. With each step, the thickets begin to clear, making the pathway obvious and safe. This is the path to my MBA. It doesn't mean that some day the path to my other dreams - writing, public speaking, even marriage - won't be made clear. But for now, I know this is the path where God is directing.
So the journey begins. I'm in the process of gathering all the needed documents for admissions and prepping for my GMAT on May 25. If all goes well and I'm accepted, I'll begin classes in July. I began the new year emphatically claiming "It's Yours, Lord" and I continue to proclaim it.
We all have dreams and goals in life that we hope to accomplish, maybe it's your bucket list, maybe it's just a goal list...but we all have them. If you don't, you probably live a pretty mundane life. And sometimes we have goals or "bucket list" items that we don't put high on the list because at certain seasons of life, they just don't seem possible or even worth pursuing. Then it seems the path is cleared and you have no doubt which way to go.
For a long time in my life, I've dreamed of writing - writing a column, writing a book - just getting paid for doing what I love, even if just on the side. This blog fulfills that creative juices craving, and I had hoped it would lead to more opportunities. Along with that, I'd love to do more public speaking. I've been blessed to have many opportunities, but would love to do more. I've pursued some writing opportunities that hit dead ends, and just have felt like the door has been shut. The same has occurred with speaking opportunities. Some I've pursued, or some that approached me that never materialized. It was clear that was not the path...at least not at this time.
Also for a long time, I've toyed with the idea of getting my MBA. Every time I lose a job, I ponder returning to school. But I've always felt like it wasn't right or I didn't have a peace. After the first of this year, the idea returned, and I began to pray about it. I prayed very specifically that God would show me what to do. I even slated off a 3-day holiday weekend to "let" God provide His answer. I left that weekend without a clear yes ...but not a clear no either. So I decided to do what I had done with my other venture and take some steps forward and see what happened. In an unbelievable way, God continued to open doors and give me a peace about proceeding down this path. I truly don't understand it apart from God but I can tell you I have a complete confidence that this is the path I need to travel. Do I know how I'm going to make time for school, work and life? No, but I feel better knowing I'll be doing it completely online and the average hours per week it will take is manageable. Do I know how I'm going to pay for this without going into debt (or much debt?) No, not at all...short of a benefactor or Sugar Daddy. But, again, like the rest of this journey, I am trusting God to provide the money needed to fund this education. For the first time, I understand how people going on short-term mission trips have a peace even when they don't have the money. I know God will provide.
My visual for this (as I always seem to have a visual) is a field full of thickets. I enter the field carrying my sharpened machete ready to cut through the brush to get me where I'm going. One path is impossible to cut through. No matter how much I continue to whack away, the thickets remain. This is the path to my writing/public speaking dream. I move to another part of the field and begin to hack away at the brush. With each step, the thickets begin to clear, making the pathway obvious and safe. This is the path to my MBA. It doesn't mean that some day the path to my other dreams - writing, public speaking, even marriage - won't be made clear. But for now, I know this is the path where God is directing.
So the journey begins. I'm in the process of gathering all the needed documents for admissions and prepping for my GMAT on May 25. If all goes well and I'm accepted, I'll begin classes in July. I began the new year emphatically claiming "It's Yours, Lord" and I continue to proclaim it.
Monday, March 11, 2013
53 Days
I am beyond geeked for the premier of Ironman 3. Here's the latest trailer to whet your appetite, and, if you're like me, drool in anticipation.
Friday, March 08, 2013
Five Minutes: Home
Ready. Set. Write.
I love my home. It's nothing fancy and just the right size. And it's my haven of rest. Although I enjoy traveling - whether for business or pleasure - I can be quite content as, what many people call, a homebody. As an only child, I learned from an early age how to entertain myself, and that hasn't changed into adulthood in my home. I'm single and live alone - no pets, though I'd love a cute little dog to keep me company at times.
The home where I grew up still stands and I love thinking back on memories of that home. The basement was finished and where all my toys and games lived. I even had a corner of the basement for my kitchen where I could play house. My bedroom had knotty pine walls and just had a "homey" feel. I spent many a day in the basement playing with my Fisher Price sets or my Barbies. Or my Atari, which was hooked up to the family room television in the basement. My backyard was huge! And towards the back of the yard was the best.swingset.ever. It had a teeter totter (that two-seater swingie thing), two individual swings, a four-seater swing, and a slide. I would swing so high the set would "tump" out of the ground. Even when the set was weather-worn, my Dad repainted it. My Dad is a genius. He painted the whole set white (it was originally multi-colored) and then masked it off and spray painted it red and it become a candy-cane swingset. Life was good. And I loved Home.
My home now has no backyard or swingset, but sits quietly in a very quaint community. My home is known as the Red Rose Inn. Where people can come and feel at home and find refuge. The blessing of my home is something I always want to share.
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Television Ratings Don't Lie
Shortly before Christmas my friend, Paige, encouraged me to watch this little show on A&E called Duck Dynasty. She gave me a bit of the background and I decided to indulge. And now, I'm hooked.
If you are like me and late to this phenomenon of a party, Duck Dynasty is a reality show based on the lives of the Robertson clan. Phil Robertson, the patriarch, built a business on selling hand-made duck calls. Now, his son, Willie, runs the company and the show focuses around the lives of this Louisiana family. Phil and his wife, Miss Kay, lead the family, and the cast of characters range from the CEO/Duck Commander, Willie, to the lovable (and quite quotable) Uncle Si.
Why is this show so appealing? It's good, wholesome, down-home humor. The family embraces their "redneck-edness" and the things they encounter - from escaped lizards to the opening of duck season - make for some great TV. And the family lives with a very strong faith in God. Every show ends with the family around the dinner table (now there is a novel idea!) and Phil leading them in prayer. And, when he prays, he doesn't leave out the name of Jesus. (gasp!)
The season premiere last week garnered more than 8 million viewers, making it the most-watched nonfiction cable show. The ratings don't lie. The world loves the Robertsons. My friend, Julie, posted a status on Facebook last night that just sums it up..."Duck Dynasty is on. For the next hour, all is right with the world."
Last Sunday evening, a mini-series debuted on the History Channel, simply called, The Bible. Mark Burnett, the brains behind hits such as Survivor, The Voice and Celebrity Apprentice, is the creative mind behind this series that runs every Sunday night in March, with the ending being aired, appropriately, on Easter Sunday night. He was inspired to create a telling of the Bible with 21st century technology advancements after being a fan of the 1950s "The Ten Commandments" movie. He and his wife, Roma Downey, who after a stint as an angel now plays Mary in this mini-series, have been interviewed by tons of media channels on their motivations and reasons behind this production. Burnett says, "It's actually a love story, God's love for us."
After the first night's airing on the History Channel, more than 14 million viewers took part in the beginnings of the greatest story ever told. It, by far, beat out every other show on Sunday evening....including the airing of one of Burnett's other hits...Celebrity Apprentice.
What does The Bible and Ducks have to do with each other? The world wants something different on television. And the ratings don't lie. The world wants to watch a wholesome family who plays together and prays together. The world wants to watch a program with their children and not have to worry that their children will be exposed to vulgarity and immorality portrayed as acceptable and encouraged. The world wants a Rescuer. And 14 million people began the journey to watch how a Rescuer came to this world to give us hope.
If you are like me and late to this phenomenon of a party, Duck Dynasty is a reality show based on the lives of the Robertson clan. Phil Robertson, the patriarch, built a business on selling hand-made duck calls. Now, his son, Willie, runs the company and the show focuses around the lives of this Louisiana family. Phil and his wife, Miss Kay, lead the family, and the cast of characters range from the CEO/Duck Commander, Willie, to the lovable (and quite quotable) Uncle Si.
Why is this show so appealing? It's good, wholesome, down-home humor. The family embraces their "redneck-edness" and the things they encounter - from escaped lizards to the opening of duck season - make for some great TV. And the family lives with a very strong faith in God. Every show ends with the family around the dinner table (now there is a novel idea!) and Phil leading them in prayer. And, when he prays, he doesn't leave out the name of Jesus. (gasp!)
The season premiere last week garnered more than 8 million viewers, making it the most-watched nonfiction cable show. The ratings don't lie. The world loves the Robertsons. My friend, Julie, posted a status on Facebook last night that just sums it up..."Duck Dynasty is on. For the next hour, all is right with the world."
Last Sunday evening, a mini-series debuted on the History Channel, simply called, The Bible. Mark Burnett, the brains behind hits such as Survivor, The Voice and Celebrity Apprentice, is the creative mind behind this series that runs every Sunday night in March, with the ending being aired, appropriately, on Easter Sunday night. He was inspired to create a telling of the Bible with 21st century technology advancements after being a fan of the 1950s "The Ten Commandments" movie. He and his wife, Roma Downey, who after a stint as an angel now plays Mary in this mini-series, have been interviewed by tons of media channels on their motivations and reasons behind this production. Burnett says, "It's actually a love story, God's love for us."
After the first night's airing on the History Channel, more than 14 million viewers took part in the beginnings of the greatest story ever told. It, by far, beat out every other show on Sunday evening....including the airing of one of Burnett's other hits...Celebrity Apprentice.
What does The Bible and Ducks have to do with each other? The world wants something different on television. And the ratings don't lie. The world wants to watch a wholesome family who plays together and prays together. The world wants to watch a program with their children and not have to worry that their children will be exposed to vulgarity and immorality portrayed as acceptable and encouraged. The world wants a Rescuer. And 14 million people began the journey to watch how a Rescuer came to this world to give us hope.