Show and Tell Friday: My New Best Friend!

Today I'm showing off what I was blessed with last week! Our previous vacuum cleaner, which is parked behind the door in our bedroom, stopped picking up dirt the normal way. I say normal, because it's supposed to collect the dirt and I'm supposed to empty it. It had another understanding of it's operation apparently, because it was collecting dirt and spitting it out the back (ouch), while I was vacuuming! It was also leaving little clumps of dirt behind. Well, much to my chagrin, it was put on the backburner due to finances, and I was going around scraping dirt up with my fingers! Not a pleasant task, to say the least! Since my daughter was supposed to have her sleepover last weekend, hubby decided it was time to get something. After conferring with his co-workers about which brand was best (a man thing), we decided to check out the local Oreck store. After a lengthy demonstration by a very sweet saleslady, we forked over the credit card, and I walked away a truly happy camper!!! It's a homemakers dream come true! It makes our three-year old cheap builder's choice carpet look brand new! It comes with a canister vacuum that has a shoulder strap (every diva should have one!), which makes it easy to carry up the stairs as I'm vacuuming. The upright is very lightweight and has two settings (one for carpet and one for hardwood, ceramic tile or linoleum). This particular model came with a 10 yr. warranty and was cheaper than the online models because they are phasing these out. I hope I don't sound vain, but I'm so excited after going weeks without a functional vacuum cleaner and crawling on my knees to get the job done!!!

Birthday Girl

I'm so proud that my oldest daughter turned 16 today! We celebrated all weekend starting Friday evening. I chauffered her and her friends to one of her friend's homecoming game and then out to eat at IHop. The game was on the other side of town, so to save gas, I visited with my pastor and wife, who live close to the stadium. Saturday, she had planned to go to the mall, but her friends flaked on her. I was less than thrilled because I knew she wasn't happy, so I asked if she and her sister would like to tag along to the bridal shower I was going to while they would've been at the mall. They agreed and ended up having a good time. Sunday we had a family dinner for her at my cousin's house. I think that made up for missing the mall too, because she was treated like a true princess!

Movie Night

Normally, Mondays aren't a date night, but our assistant pastor (my lil' bro) sent me an email, inviting the couples at our church to go see "Fireproof" with Kirk Cameron. It was an amazing movie and I highly recommend it to everyone. Go to www.fireproofthemovie.com and check out the trailer. You know how we women are........had us in tears at the end!!!

Show and Tell Friday

This is my first show and tell post, and I wanted to show off something very dear to me. These were earrings that belonged to my mother, and I used to love going in her jewelry box and trying them on! She had many pretty ones, but these were always my favorites. Now that she's gone to be with the Lord, I've acquired her collection and wear them occasionally on Sundays. I've gotten many compliments on them, which brings a smile to my face because they remind me of her. Thanks for letting me join the show and tell post, Kelli!

Good Start

I made a delicious strawberry-pineapple-banana smoothie this morning to jump start my day. Hopefully, it will help me be more productive! I've got some projects to tackle, so I'm praying that I get something accomplished today!

I turned 21 today! plus 22! (hee hee!)

Happy Birthday to me!!! I had a great birthday!!! My wonderful hubby took me to dinner yesterday at Pappadeaux's, which is my second favorite restaurant (Olive Garden is #1) and where I have my must-have dessert of creme brulee every year! After dinner (stuffed shrimp was awesome!), we went to see Tyler Perry's new movie, "The Family that Preys", which was really good. This morning I was served breakfast by my hubby and kiddos, after a wonderful introduction by my hubby as I was coming down the hallway! Too cute! I got lots of great cards (homemade are the best!) and gifts, which mostly consisted of used toys! LOL! I got a brand new tambourine, which was a thrill since my old one has lost most of it's jingles! I enjoyed playing it at church today! At church, my birthday was mentioned during the announcements and I got clapping and cheering and some friends that sang to me also, after church was out. After church, between services, we went to the Cotton Patch Cafe, where the crew sang Happy Birthday to me backwards! They were standing with their backs to me, while singing!!! Too funny! Then we went back to church for our Sunday evening IMPACT service, and then to Baskin-Robbins for ice cream! I had a great day and I thank God for my sweet hubby and precious kiddos!!!

Thanking God!

We have so much to be thankful for! I thank God for my family and my life and all the wonderful blessings He's bestowed upon us daily! I'm very thankful that we only got rain and a little wind on last weekend, with no property damage. I praise Him for my family members in Houston who were only midly affected by the storm. I thank Him for the rainbow after the storm! God is an awesome God and truly amazing!!!