Passions

I am taking a Spiritual Gifts class at church....good way to meet more people. I have come to realize that as we become older, learn more, gain experience...that our spiritual gifts also change.

One of the questions was - what is your passion? It's easy to rattle off what my passions have been my whole life......but truly, what are they now?

God

my family

individual temperaments

exploring

trying new things

doing what I can to make someone feel comfortable

experiencing

OK Peeps - WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS!

Tastebuds Tired of Disappointment

Nutter Butter Creme Patties (a wafer type cookie by Nabisco) has been one of my many favorite indulgences for the past 20 years. This is a desert that I can only get every once in a while - because I tend to binge every time! Well, over the last couple of years - it seems that Nabisco has changed the ingredients......maybe to save on cost? I have been experiencing this in many itmes....things getting smaller (take the bagel for example) or tasting a slight change in ingredients. I commend companies for trying to save on cost. But when it came to my tastebud indulgences - I don't want to compromise the taste!

Last night I bought my last package of Nutter Butter Creme Patties....once again, I was disappointed in the taste. Bill asked me, "Then why did you eat so much of it?" LOL I guess I was hoping that with each new bite - I would once again experience that creamy peanut buttery taste I so loved. Not so. This morning I threw out the remaining cookie wafers and promptly sat down and wrote an email to Nabisco explaining my experience. Will they listen to me? Who knows.....I just felt better doing it. Someone needs to tell them!

Now - what to do to indulge my tastebuds. Well.....my next most favorite indulgence for tastebuds is Fruit Loops! Yes, I like to pour them in a bowl or glass and eat them dry. Again, I can't keep a box in the house - because I will tend to gorge....just can't control myself.

So, next time I feel the indulgence and am ready for the repurcussions of gorging.......I will turn towards Fruit Loops. Hopefully, they won't disappoint!

Beauty and Pain - the sequel

As if the pain of pulling individual hairs from my legs wasn't enough.....I took my "Braun Silk-epil" a step further and thought I would try it on my armpits!! I read several reviews from girls that did just that. Some couldn't handle the pain and quit - others worked through the pain and are reaping the rewards. So - ever challenging that the experience seemed.....I gave it a go.

YOWZA!!!!!!!!!

BOY - Did that hurt! BUT - I was bound and determined to have smooth armpits that I didn't have to shave. Plus - the other rewards of having the hair grow back finer was so tempting.....I just HAD to work through it. If those other girls could do it - so could I!!!!

My mantra during this session became...."I've gone through the pain of braces, I've had two kids for crying out loud! Work through the pain....go to your happy place..... you CAN and WILL do this!"

By the end of the session - for both armpits....I felt that I had truly accomplished a tremendous feat. I was so proud of myself and the suffering I experience and conquered - I poured a glass of wine to celebrate after showing Bill BOTH smooth armpits for him to admire! And admire he did.....with a look of - Why!

Results:

True to the testimonies.......I worked on my armpits again yesterday (after several weeks of non-shaving) and I have to admit - it didn't hurt half as much this time around and the hairs were a little finer (or again, not as stubbly). It was still kind of painful - but ....something I easily worked through. Once again.....I get to experience several weeks of non-shaving of the armpits!!!! OOO La La........

My Picks for Good Reads

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

(about Dinah, a silent character in the book of Genesis)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Kidd

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Winter Dance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod by Gary Paulsen

(Nonfiction - truly very funny)

Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Faith Based Reads

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

The Helper by Catherine Marshall

(about the Holy Spirit)

Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs

by Emerson Eggerichs

(I highly recommend the conference - if can't attend - read the book definitely)

Andrew Murray on Prayer by Andrew Murray

(very thick book - but a life changing study on Prayer and our relationship with God)

Torture for comfort and beauty?

For Christmas I requested (yes, requested) an epilator.

According to the Webster Dictionary:

ep·i·late /ˈɛpəˌleɪt/ –verb (used with object), -lat·ed, -lat·ing.
to remove (hair) from by means of physical, chemical, or radiological agents; depilate.

Yes - I requested a machine that would remove the hair on my legs by "pulling it out one hair at a time" !!!!! What was I thinking??????

Years ago (could it be 20?) an "Epilady" thing came out for hair removal. It was basically stainless steel coils that would spin - the object of which it would catch the individual hairs on your leg and pull them out. Thus - you wouldn't have to shave your legs for a month. Well - I could work through the pain....but it was a pain to use.

I came across an article of how this process had been improved and it introduced a new epilator by Braun. So, after researching and reading all the reviews - this is what I learned. That those brave souls using this new epilator (Braun Silk-epil ...even sounds better) came away with high reviews. They stated that it did hurt the first time...but like pucking your eyebrows.. you get used to the pain and it hurts less each time. The hairs, when they grow back, grow back a little thinner each time. Also - the need to not have to do it again for 4 weeks was a big plus. They also stated that this particular contraption was a lot easier to use than the old one (20 years ago) and did a much better job.

So - ever on the prowl for new things to improve my comfort for beauty - I requested it and Santa delivered. Looking at the machine - it was pretty scary - it has a wheel with many many little metal gizmos that act as tweezers. As the wheel spins (super fast) - these little tweezers grab the hairs on your leg and pulls them out. It even has an attachment of spinning plastic spikes that stimulate the skin so it won't notice when the hairs are being pulled out (believe me - every hair noticed being pulled out). So - I got into the bathroom, shut the door, turned on the machine and used the head attachment for "expert epilator user" (why beat around the bush - go for the gusto!!!).

Result: - Yes, it hurt at first and was a shock to the system feeling your hairs being pulled out. But, I have to admit - I got used to it (or rather knew what to expect) and I found myself looking for little hairs that I missed (this contraption has a little light to see those little hairs you miss). Truley - it hurt so good - knowing in the back of my mind that I wouldn't have to shave my legs for weeks. Now, the first time I used it was at Christmas - I had to do a retouch a week later because hairs grow at different speeds.....but the touch up didn't take long at all. Then about 4 weeks after Christmas - I had to do it again. It was no big deal. The reviews were correct - the hairs were a little finer (or maybe just not stubby so they seemed finer) and it didn't hurt quit like the first time.

What do I think? Definitely worth it. For me and the girls in my family - with course hair - and that I shave my legs every day - worth it. It is just so wonderful to jump in the shower and not have to shave my legs every day. I am at the point now that I almost look forward to when I can epilate my legs again. Making those little hairs grow back finer and finer each time. Again, there is some touch up that I do when little strays grow back.....but I don't even feel them growing back (because they aren't stubbles) and have to look for them. Ahhhhhhhhh!

So, I rate this 5 stars.........

The attachment at the top right is with the little plastic spikes
Notice the silver tweezers on the rotating head

Kayla and Friends

We took Kayla out to a co-worker of Bill's who had 3 greyhounds. They lived in the country and had a big fenced yard. This gave us an opportunity to watch her run and play with the other greyhounds. (although I don't think they really know how to play - just race!) They are such sociable animals - they all bonded rather quickly.

The reason they all have muzzels on - when racing - they use the muzzles for photo finishes. Also, the greyhounds are so competitive - they tend to nip at eachother while racing if they get bumped into. Their skin is so thin, it can easily tear....that's why lots of greyhounds have scars when you get them (Kayla has a couple on her hip). So, while they were playing and chasing the "lure" we kept the muzzles on.

It was just amazing watching them all run in short bursts......She had the best time!!!!

Kayla (fawn colored) with her 3 new friends

Chasing the lure

Not into Jammies

When researching greyhounds....they all comment that because they have no fat on their bodies and thin skin....that if you are cold - they are cold. There are lots of coats, sweaters and "jammies" for greyhounds out there. So, I thought I would create Kayla her own "jammie" to wear out of one of my old large T-shirts I wear to bed.

So - I put it on her and tied a knot on the back so it would fit her. I thought it looked rather doable - but she had no clue what I had done to her! She just stood there looking at me and not moving. I just died laughing! I went off doing my own thing and every time I came back - she had not moved one iota! She just stood there!!!!! I was told when greyhounds are nervous - they become like statues........well, she was being a great statue. I just had to grab a few shots of her.

When I took the T-shirt off of her - she hightailed it to her crate and got in (her comfort zone)......she is still in there! Did I just set our "bonding" back a couple of days?

Poor pitiful girl

She hasn't moved an inch

Still hasn't moved

Begging me to take it off

A New Way of Communication

This is my first post on my first blog!
It just amazes me the ways of communicating.

Bill and I are now in Denton, TX -
Our boys, Will and Jon, are still in Missouri - working and going to college. Will post more on them later.

How will I use this blog? I don't know....but will venture as often as possible to post things - and be surprised myself what they are.

So - today I will share our new addition to the family - KAYLA!
She is a 5 1/2 year old retired racing greyhound. I was debating whether to get a greyhound or dachshund - what a difference! In the end, my heart always melted around the greyhounds. I did an over abundance of research (as Bill will atest to) and found the following regarding greyhounds:
They don't bark,
Are already crate trained (they growup in crates)
Very intellegent (She is already housebroken on day 2!)
Known as 45mph couch potatoes (you got that right!)
They truly bond with their family - following them everywhere,
Already leash trained
Very sweet natured
Very sociable to animals and people already
Make great apt pets (good - since we are in an apt for now!)
Even though they are considered large, they don't take up much room
Like to lean against you (and she really does)
Did I say - very sweet?

It is interesting - because they are raised on the race track in crates - they are aliens to a household and many other things. For instance, we live on the second floor - so we had to teach her how to climb the stairs!!!! By day 2 she was doing just fine....still takes it pretty slow. She also had never seen a mirror or glass with her reflection. Riding in a car, the smells of cooking, etc. It's been fun introducing her to and teaching all these new things. After she has bonded with us and trusts us - we will need to teach her how to play (can you believe that she doesn't know how to play?). Her personality should start emerging within the next several months. It will be fun to witness.