Did I mention??

Did I mention I don't do Halloween? I must not have because last night I had 14 "halloweenies" show up at my door. They closely resembled the Lambuth University Women's Basketball Team (coach included-- see picture on left). ThankfullyI got a little bit of advanced notice they were coming. So what was I to do? Turn off my lights and hope they go away? I wouldn't do that. I love these girls. I just dont love Halloween! Besides two of our international gals had never been trick or treating (lucky them). I'm not sure they got the real picture last night either.

They came inside and were treated to hot homemade brownies and Raspberry Ice drinks. Not exactly what I remember from my childhood trapsing up and down the streets with all the other "hungry" children. That is why we went out wasnt it? Why else do kids go begging for food? There has got to be SOMETHING redeeming about Halloween doesn't there? Why else would millions of parents take their kids out? I don't know just guessing here - secular peer pressure? I guess. Nonetheless, I don't do Halloween!

I don't do Halloween

Ok - I don't do Halloween. There I've said it. I did years ago when my kids were small but then somewhere in their middle school years I had to stop and ask myself why? What is the redeeming quality of this holiday? "Some" would probably say its harmless. That's what "some" said about the Harry Potter series and what "some" say about marijuiana and what "some" say about R-rated movies......... "Some" would say instead of trick or treating we should go up to their doors and hand them a christian track. I guess. It's just that I could never get the hang of that.

Anyway, that seemed like MY deal not my kids. If they were out and about they wanted to do what "everybody" else was doing anyway. So.... I had an alternative. I would take my kids bowling, to a movie etc. I would let them buy whatever candy they wanted (they would get to pick the good stuff). I must admit it's been like a fish swiming upstream. It's like walking against the flow of the crowd. I wish I could say I was so noble in all areas of my life but.......... I'm not. However, I am working on it. This may be one small area but its ONE!

This is so funny - you gotta watch!

Eat, Pray, Love

I am not a reader by nature. I read, but I am a very selective reader. Most all of my reading has to do with my faith, teaching bible study, etc. In August my friend Lisa Harper said, "You've got to read Eat, Pray, Love." It was a strong recommendation from a woman who travels all over the US leading christian women's conferences. So.... I bought the book. I thought worse case scenario I'll take it on my trip and read it on the plane. First of all the book is a true story. Elizabeth Gilbert is a real person. She is a magazine writer in New York. So I began reading. I couldn't put it down. I have heard "readers" say this, but not me. But I couldn't put it down. Her story intrigued me. The way she articulated, intrigued me. Her quest for life, intrigued me. I read the book. The WHOLE book.

Elizabeth Gilbert was on Oprah this week. Turns out a LOT of people are reading the book. Eat, Pray, Love has spent 35 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. Elizabeth's personal quest to find out who she is awakens a similar journey in us all. There are parts in the book that are WAY too honest, way too transparent but its her book not mine. There are things in the book I don't agree with. There are times I wished she had been bolder in her faith statements. But..... with all that said, it certainly evoked something in me. Something good. Something God. It's a good read. During her interview with Oprah this past week she was asked what she continues to do that keeps her life quest alive. She said she does 3 things.

1. She asked herself the question"What do you want?"

Oprah quizzed, "You mean what do you want today or what do you want out of life?" Elizabeth said "No, just simply what do you want?" I have found that the most common answer is happiness but women especially don't really know what would make them happy. So get specific, what do you want?

2. Watch for "happy moments" during the day and journal them at the end of your day.

She said, "crappy moments happen too, I just decided to not keep a crappy journal but a happy journal. It keeps your focus in the right place. It doesn't have to be big. It could be as simple as a trip to the mailbox and sunlight broke out on you." Happy Moments.

3. Change your mantra.

She explained, "Our mantra is the internal talk we tend to do with ourselves. Some people constantly repeat, I'm a jerk, I'm no good, I'm a loser to which I would have to ask, "How's that working for you?" Change your mantra - life phrases that you live by. The medicine man in Bali told me, "Everyday laugh. Laugh from your liver" I remember that. I live by that. It works for me.

Well..... that's my book report for the month (maybe the year, I'm not a reader you know!) I'm thinking about these 3 things. They aren't profound but they are valid. I 'm really focusing on my mantra. I like that.... Laugh from your liver.........

I'm 50 and I'm fine.... REALLY!

This picture was taken on my 50th birthday just recently. I got to turn 50 in London. Awesome! It wasnt planned as a birthday trip but hey it happened. The day was great. My husband sang Happy Birthday (ok that wasnt the great part), I got text messages from all the kids and friends. I had a birthday card under my hotel door first thing that morning. It was a great day. The weather in London totally cooperated. It was blue skies. Great Shopping weather! Well..... a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. The first couple hours of the day were spent first on the double decker bus as we headed towards Maddam Toussads. She is the lady that developed the true art of wax figures way back in the 1800's. Her museum is filled with wax likeness of numerous movie stars, sports and historical figures. I even had my picture made with the Pope!

From there we went to Covent Gardens. It's a part of London that is picture perfect. An old station has been converted to shopping venues and eatieries complete with string quartets that delight the most reluctant shopper. I got a black leather jacket for my birthday. Tim got one too. Not sure why - hey he's already 50! There were a few other goodies to round out my birthday spree. That night we went to dinner at Garfunkels that serves good European cuisine and then to the London Theater to see the play "Wicked". It was great! It's the story that preceeds the Wizard of Oz. Its not about being Wicked at all. If you get a chance to go see it I highly recommend it! Well.... it was a birthday like none other and I enjoyed every minute of it. I supposed 51 might not be as big but I'm not giving up this early. Oh, no.