100 Things about Me

I originally posted this back in January of 2011.  As I read through the original 100 I realized that some of the things about me had changed.
This idea was originally stolen from my dear friend Aaron over at Carp Dime.


1. My birthday is September 17
2. My favorite season is fall
3. My favorite season would best be spent in the mountains
4. I love to read while sitting on the beach
5. I would rather spend my vacation doing nothing than constantly on the go
6. I have had at least five different hair colors
7. I love fast cars
8. I have five children
9. Those same five children can lead me to a place of wanting to cut off all of my hair at times
10. Those same five children have taught me to love like I have never loved
11. My favorite color is red
12. My favorite movie is STILL Knight's Tale
13. I enjoy reading a variety of things when I have the time
14. I would rather eat my dessert before my meal
15. I love to bake
16. I do not like chocolate chip cookies but I love to make them for those I love
17. I believe that true love is selfless and it does exist
18. I believe that people are too cynical
19. I believe that most people take themselves too seriously
20.I LOVE to laugh
21. I love to take care of other people
22. I believe that God is in control of all things-good and bad
23. I love to write
24. My favorite show is The Big Bang Theory
25. My favorite Christmas movie is A Christmas Story
26. My favorite Disney animated movie is Aladdin
27. My favorite Disney Princess is Cinderella
28. I have had 8 dogs in my life
29. I have had 7 cats in my life
30. I had a hamster when I was 15
31. My Honda S2000 was my dream car.
32. I named her Lucy.
33. I would rather drive a stick shift than an automatic
34. My favorite cake is Coconut Cake
35. I love to cook and make recipes my own
36. I would rather eat at a mom and pop diner than a five star restaurant
37. I love to get all dressed up but am thankful that I do not have to every day
38. I am a very forgiving person
39. My fondest memories of childhood are of being at the beach with my family
40. I miss family reunions and big family Christmas' with my extended family
41. I LOVE McDonald's honey
42. Some say that I can be sarcastic but I don't believe them
43. Math is not my strongest area
44. I love to be doted on
45. During the week you can always find me at one of two places at some point
46. Target and Harris Teeter
47. Hearing one of my five say I love you and their laughter are my favorite things to hear
48. I love to eat take-out from Lin's Garden in Wake Forest
49. I prefer greasy New York style pizza over any pizza chain
50. I am not a very trusting person
51. Yet I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt
52. Which leads me to get my heart broken quite often
53. I don't like to be late
54. I do of good job of arriving on time even with five children tagging along
55. I prefer to be organized
56. But I find it difficult at times with five children
57. I do not like going to bed with dirty dishes in the sink
58. I know the difference between to, too and two
59. And the difference between your and you're
60. And I also know the difference between its and it's
61. I love to watch college basketball
62. But I would rather experience a hockey game live
63. I am moved by many genres of music
64. Reba McIntyre is my favorite country artist
65. Train is my favorite alternative rock group
66. There is no one more amazing in concert than Chris Tomlin!!!!
67. Each of my children think that they are my favorite
68. I love fancy gadgets
69. My favorite book of the bible is Philippians
70. My EVO LTE is the BOMB
71. I get paid to shop
72. I LOVE getting paid to shop
73. I despise ranch dressing
74. I despise Reese cups even more
75. The smell of Miracle Whip makes me gag
76. I love the smell of coffee
77.  I only drink it if prepared by my husband
78. And I love how the smell reminds me of being in my granddaddy and grandmother's house
79. My favorite reality show is Big Brother
80. One of my favorite smells is that of a sweet baby after a bath
81. The smell of blood makes me light headed
82. I do not particularly enjoy the smell of many types of flowers
83. That said I could spend an entire day surrounded by Jasmine bushes
84. I enjoy working on school projects with my kids
85. I love the thrill of shopping a good sale and saving a ton of money
86. I will confess that I spend more than I should
87. I am rarely wrong :-)
88. I am the oldest child of three
89. Many times I wish I were the youngest
90. I do not know how I will survive the death of my cat Bailey
91. I was born in Roanoke VA
92. I now live in downtown Wake Forest, North Carolina
93. I enjoy going to museums
94. I would love to live in Italy someday
95. I believe in the magic of Disney and love to visit
96. I love American History
97. I am a Christ Follower
98. I am a part of a non-denominational church
99. I have read the Constitution at least twice
100. I will know that you have read my facts if you leave me a comment

Honey....

Hmmm...interesting thought don't you think?

Release the Secret Weapon

So, I have been sick. We're going on over a week now and I'm feeling pretty tired and crappy. Though my body is tired, I still gathered up all the kiddos yesterday morning and we made our way to church. I will admit I contemplated staying home because I just felt so dag-gum bad. Overall, it was a good choice, the kids left church with smiles on their faces, and I left with renewed strength.

Then we get home. Everyone headed to the kitchen to fix lunch. There were sandwiches being made, Chef Boyardee and I had a strawberry Pop-tart. I was sitting at the table with my three year old as she worked on her cheese sandwich. My nine year old was preparing herself a bowl of Beefaroni. She was becoming a bit frustrated as it was taking forever for her noodles to get warm. At one point, she sat at the table and began eating only to become discouraged that the middle was still cold and so she returned to the microwave.

My eleven year old was talking to me as the nine year old tried making her way back to the table. She attempted walking between the eleven year old and bar top while carrying her hot bowl. She didn't make it. She dropped the bowl. Noodles went everywhere. I couldn't look. I just sat there. I then asked if it was on the carpet. I sat for a moment not because I was mad but because I felt like death. I did not feel like getting up and spending an hour cleaning tomato sauce from the carpet.

Sure enough, when I stood, there was tomato sauce and noodles all over the off-white carpet. The nine year old was already on her knees picking up the noodles that lay scattered on the floor. I sent the eleven year old up the stairs to grab my secret weapon. Now at that moment, I did not realize it was going to be my secret weapon but instead thinking it was the best shot I had at fading this mess.

The child returned with the blue bottle and we equipped ourselves with paper towels and damp washcloths. I began spraying all of the red spots. The nine year old was eager to scrub but I made her wait. We gave it a few moments to soak and then we began to work. We gently scrubbed those spots and watched as the red tomato sauce was pulled away from the threads of carpet. I sat there just a bit in shock.

As a mom of five, I have had much experience with Mr. Chef Boyardee. I have witnessed many a white t-shirt stained forever by those tomato-covered noodles that are accidentally dropped when partaking in the delectable cuisine. I did not feel there was any hope for the poor carpet. I felt it was doomed to be stained forever. Alas, I was wrong. I know, first time for everything.

I know you are asking yourself, "what WAS that secret weapon she used?" Nothing special. Just a bottle of Woolite Oxi Deep Carpet Cleaner. Needless to say, I was impressed and have now added this product to the list of must haves for moms.

How to Write an Awful Worship Song

I stumbled upon this and it had me cracking up laughing so I decided to share.

So you finally learned to play the guitar and now you’re wondering, “How do I write a truly awful worship song?”

You’ve come to the right place, my friend. Here are some sure fire ways to write a truly horrible worship song.

Recycle a Love Song.

Write a song for your girlfriend. When she breaks up with you, convert it into a worship song. Be sure to change all uses of “girl” or “baby.”

Use Time Tested Rhymes.

Make sure that you rhyme “love” and “above” at least twice. The song becomes doubly awful if you can also incorporate the word “dove.” Example: “You sent your love from above, makes my heart feel like a pure white dove.” You get the point.

Be Vague About Your Theology

Make sure to avoid any theology at all costs. Don’t talk about atonement, wrath, or any other biblical concepts. You want your song to be all about feeling. Don’t let the mind get in the way. Repeat after me: “Worship is a warm feeling, sort of like heartburn, only better.”

Make the Song All About You

The main point of your song should be your experiences and how God makes you feel. Don’t bother with objective truth about God. I would suggest that you use the words “I” or “me” at least 12-15 times. For example, “I feel like singing, yes, I feel like spinning, because You make me feel so good inside. Like it’s my birthday, but more awesome.”

Be Incredibly Poetic

If you can, muddy the waters with poetic phrases that don’t make much sense. Example: “Your love is like a warm summer’s breeze, washing over my heart like a crystal river.”

Use Well-Worn Musical Progressions

If you can, keep your music and melody boring. I would suggest that you use no more than four distinct notes in a song, so that by the time someone is done listening to it they want to scream. A worship scream, but a scream nonetheless. It also helps if you use the chords G, C, and D over and over.

Defend Your Song Like It’s Your Firstborn Child

Do not, I repeat, do not, let anyone make suggestions for improvement. Tell people that God laid the song on your heart. Tell people that you really want to preserve the artistic integrity of the song. Tell people that you already did the song at your campus ministry and that a revival broke out. Don’t take advice from anyone.

There you have it. Seven ways to write a terrible worship song. You can thank me later.

What else would you add to the list?

Written by: Stephen Altrogge

100 Facts about me (stolen from Carp Dime)

1. My birthday is September 17
2. My favorite season is fall
3. My favorite season would best be spent in the mountains
4. I love to read while sitting on the beach
5. I would rather spend my vacation doing nothing than constantly on the go
6. I have had at least five different hair colors
7. I like fast cars
8. I have five children
9. Those same five children can lead me to a place of wanting to cut off all of my hair at times
10. Those same five children have taught me to love like I have never loved
11. My favorite color is red
12. My favorite movie is Knight's Tale
13. I enjoy reading a variety of things when I have the time
14. I would rather eat my dessert before my meal
15. I love to bake
16. I do not like chocolate chip cookies but I love to make them for those I love
17. I believe that true love is selfless and it does exist
18. I believe that people are too cynical
19. I believe that most people take themselves too seriously
20.I LOVE to laugh
21. I love to take care of other people
22. I believe that God is in control of all things-good and bad
23. I love to write
24. My favorite show is The Big Bang Theory
25. My favorite Christmas movie is A Christmas Story
26. My favorite Disney animated movie is Aladdin
27. My favorite Disney Princess is Cinderella
28. I have had 8 dogs in my life
29. I have had 7 cats in my life
30. I had a hamster when I was 15
31. My Honda S2000 was my dream car.
32. I named her Lucy.
33. I would rather drive a stick shift than an automatic
34. My favorite cake is Coconut Cake
35. I love to cook and make recipes my own
36. I would rather eat at a mom and pop diner than a five star restaurant
37. I love to get all dressed up but am thankful that I do not have to every day
38. I am a very forgiving person
39. My fondest memories of childhood are of being at the beach with my family
40. I miss family reunions and big family Christmas' with my extended family
41. I LOVE McDonald's honey
42. Some say that I can be sarcastic but I don't believe them
43. Math is not my strongest area
44. I love to be doted on
45. During the week you can always find me at one of two places at some point
46. Target and Kohls
47. Hearing one of my five say I love you and their laughter are my favorite things to hear
48. I love to eat at A Taste Of Italy
49. I prefer greasy New York style pizza over any pizza chain
50. I am not a very trusting person
51. Yet I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt
52. Which leads me to get my heart broken quite often
53. I don't like to be late
54. I do of good job of arriving on time even with five children tagging along
55. I prefer to be organized
56. But I find it difficult at times with five children
57. I do not like going to bed with dirty dishes in the sink
58. I know the difference between to, too and two
59. And the difference between your and you're
60. And I also know the difference between its and it's
61. I love to watch college basketball
62. But I would rather experience a hockey game live
63. I am moved by many genres of music
64. Reba McIntyre is my favorite country artist
65. Train is my favorite alternative rock group
66. There is no one more amazing in concert than Chris Tomlin!!!!
67. Each of my children think that they are my favorite
68. I love fancy gadgets
69. My favorite book of the bible is Galatians
70. My EVO is the BOMB
71. I get paid to shop
72. I LOVE getting paid to shop
73. I despise ranch dressing
74. I despise Reese cups even more
75. The smell of Miracle Whip makes me gag
76. I love the smell of coffee
77. But I will not drink it
78. And I love how the smell reminds me of being in my granddaddy and grandmother's house
79. My favorite reality show is America's Next Top Model
80. One of my favorite smells is that of a sweet baby after a bath
81. The smell of blood makes me light headed
82. I do not particularly enjoy the smell of many types of flowers
83. That said I could spend an entire day surrounded by Jasmine bushes
84. I enjoy working on school projects with my kids
85. I love the thrill of shopping a good sale and saving a ton of money
86. I will confess that I spend more than I should
87. I am rarely wrong
88. I am the oldest child of three
89. Many times I wish I were the youngest
90. I do not know how I will survive the death of my cat Bailey
91. I was born in Roanoke VA
92. I now live in the capital city of North Carolina
93. I enjoy going to museums
94. I would love to live in Italy someday
95. I believe in the magic of Disney and love to visit
96. I love American History
97. I am a Christ Follower
98. I am a part of a non-denominational church
99. I have read the Constitution at least twice
100. I will know that you have read my facts if you leave me a comment

The Bunny Ears

Since moving into our new home, we have only had basic cable. No high def, no DVR and no "on demand". In the past I would have said that the idea of no digital cable was inconceivable but it hasn't been all that bad. I do LOVE my HD TV but have been quite satisfied with not having to pay that monthly cable bill.

We have always enjoyed watching certain weekly shows together and definitely enjoyed said shows in 1080p. A fellow blogger friend introduced one particular show to us which was the joys of Smallville which my boys took to a bit more than I did have but I have to admit that I do watching "the Blur" save the day and especially so in HD.

Now back in the day, this fellow blogger friend would make his way over to our house and watch this beloved show in HD with us but now that we are in our new home, we are seeing less and less of him. Truth be told, I am almost certain it has something to do with the lack of HD in our home and in all honesty, it is hard to go from HD quality to that standard old fuzzy picture BUT we have come to learn that something is better than nothing and had settled for the fuzzy.

SO... one Friday night, my boys and I headed on over to that friends house so that we could enjoy watching "the Blur" save the day in splendid HD. During one of the commercials, I mentioned how the only thing I presently able to view on the 19" high def TV in my room,were DVDs on the blu ray. Now don't get me wrong, there was happiness found in watching my favorite sitcom over and over each night before bed and there was even a bit of gratification found when playing a movie every once in a while but I was really missing those days where I could flip through channels before bed. This is where my friend mentioned rabbit ears. I must have looked confused because he then went on to explain that I could pick up a pair at the local drug store. I must admit that for a moment, I was lost. What did I want a pair of rabbit ears for and how would they help my current high def dilemma? Again, the look of confusion on my face must have led him to the realization that a further explanation was needed. He began explaining that a pair of ears would give me access to some high def tv in my room. WHAT???????? Two months in our new home with no HD TV!! Why was I just now learning about this particular miracle?

We finished our episode of Smallville and headed to the car, where the decision was made that we WOULD be stopping at Target to check out these so-called "rabbit ears". We headed for the electronics section and found the antennas on an end cap. I began looking them over, trying to figure out whether the ten dollar would suffice or if the purchase of the twenty-five dollar pair was necessary. After consulting with the boys, the decision was made to purchase one of both in order to see which would deliver the most superb picture quality. We made our purchase and headed home with our two sets of "bunny ears", one for mom's 19" TV and one for the boys nice 42". I have to admit, I was a little skeptical as to how well these things would work. How in the world could these metal stick thingamajigs deliver the quality picture that Time Warner once brought into my home?

There was excitement in the air. Could it be possible?? Could we actually experience high def TV yet again without the costly price of a cable bill? Once again, I was skeptical but felt certain it was worth a try. We walked in the front door and headed straight to the bedroom. The set-up was easy. The twenty-five dollar number had to be plugged into an outlet as well as into the back of the TV but this process was a breeze and it wasn't long before the searching of channels began taking place. I sat on the edge of my bed with great anticipation as I watched the channel count progress. The bar slowly climbed and when it ended, I had about thirty-five channels. I was in awe.

I took a deep breath and picked up the remote. It was time to test the abilities of those tubular telescoping thingamajigs. I punched in 5.1, which is our local HD CBS channel. And what to my wondering eyes should appear??? HIGH DEF TV!!! It was a miracle!! I was ecstatic at my newfound discovery!

We quickly headed into the boys rooms and set up their "bunny ears". Again, the process was simple and there was even more success as their TV picked up about forty channels. I was impressed to say the least. It was not until two days later thought that the real thrill took place. It was Sunday night and it was time to watch another of our favorite shows, The Amazing Race. We gathered around the big 42" screen in the boy's room. Excitement filled the air as the music began but our eyes grew large as we took in the AMAZING picture that was before us. It was as if we were right there with those contestants taking in the picturesque scene of a foreign land. We were beyond impressed and quite pleased.

This spectacular 42" HD TV has been a part of our lives for about five years. In our former home, we paid for the upgraded digital cable, bought all the expensive cables needed but the picture never seemed to amaze me. I had never seen a picture as clear and vibrant as the picture that we were receiving through our ten-dollar "bunny ears". It was spectacular! Now each time we take a seat in front of our TV to watch our favorite shows, I am reminded all over again how gullible we can be when it comes to the selling techniques of a good salesperson.

We may not have all the digital cable channels, DVR or even "on demand", but by golly we have the MOST amazing picture I have ever experienced on HD TV and we did all for one lump sum of $38.76! What more can a girl ask for?

Words of a 3 Year Old

We are quite entertained by the three year old that runs the house. The most entertaining part of living with this particular three year is her use of the English language. Today I will share some of this with you.

Whenever at the mall, she will cry to ride the alligator AKA elevator, repeatedly.

In the morning, before leaving the house, she must always brush her teef AKA teeth.

When having chicken nuggets from McDonalds, she always wants sweet teaf AKA sweet tea, to drink.

When everyone is talking, and she wants you to listen to her, she asks that everyone stop talking to her.

When she wants to take a bath, she explains to me that her hair stinks, her feet stinks, her hands stinks, her legs stinks and her hair stinks.

When one of the older four gets upset with her or I have to discipline her, she asks us to be her friend please.

When Emma the kitten is being bad, Gabby puts her in time out. (the coat closet)

When mommy is doing work on the computer and I walk away for a moment, she informs me that she needs to check her SPACEBOOK AKA FACEBOOK.

When wanting to ride in her battery operated car, she says we need to charge the battery car AKA just simply the battery.

She loves to play with her turtle AKA belly button.

When going to the potty she NEEDS nackins AKA toilet paper.