Ice Storm 2011

Guess what we did during the great North Texas ice storm of 2011.

We made these:

{PW's Cinnamon Rolls}

They tasted SO GOOD but..

didn't hold a candle to PW's - for some reason they didn't rise like I'd hoped they would.

They were all slouchy and lazy.

Kinda like we were the rest of the week:

Except I did get a little bit of Bible time in!

I love Kay Arthur's Inductive Method of Bible study - I learn SO much!

What a week!!

Folks in the North will not feel any pity on this girl here

whatsoever, but we've had the craziest winter in like 20 years (so they say).

Whatever the case may be, it seriously cut into my blogging (and work) time

so I have to play a pretty intense game of catch up before I can get in to the good blogging (read: giveaway).


Can't wait to share everything that's been going on!!!

{p.s.  keep praying!  we're still waiting to hear back on D's most promising job lead!}

down but not out

If there's one thing I can say about me it's that I love random stuff.

(i almost forgot that i put some beautiful house pics on here too)

Most people wouldn't find this stuff amusing but even on days like the

ones we've had this week these pictures and videos crack me up.

I just love the joy that being in Christ brings - despite our hardships we still find reasons to smile.

God is good and we're going to be okay.

I know this.

Anyway, enjoy the randomness.

Especially the first one.

I nearly died laughing when I first found it.

I live on Blogger Island located somewhere in the middle of this Bermuda Triangle of Productivity.

Ahh, I love indian humor.

:)

Couch Killers

That's what my friends call us.

We've gone through 4 couches in the span of 7 years and we're about to

buy our 5th couch off of Craigslist tomorrow.

The first couch we bought from some friends. 

The total package was actually a couch, love seat and coffee table set for $75

- can't beat that, right?

David and I moved had to move in with my mom for a little while many years ago,

sadly, the couch never recovered from all their cigarette smoke. 

I could never get the smell out.

Our next couch was bought during an unfortunate time where I was obsessed with Shabby Chic -

well, Shabby Chic and 3 year olds don't mix. 

Also, bloodhounds don't appreciate Shabby Chic couches.

Annie, our old bloodhound, started to pee on the couch once but thankfully

David was home to help me pull the 90lb. behemoth off of it before she really got going. 

Two weeks later, she tried it again

this time David wasn't home and I had no chance

of getting that dog off the couch.

I found a pretty nice replacement couch on Craigslist for $100.

We picked it up at the most beautiful home I've ever seen in real life.

Three months later - Ethan threw up fruit punch all over it.

As we were cleaning up that mess

we got a call from my aunt and uncle,

they had picked up a couch from my aunt's sister and

wanted to know if we needed a couch.

That is God's sovereignty right there, folks.

We got the wonderful brown couch and loved it and loved it

so much that we accidentally broke a board underneath it.

We've tried to repair it but there's no hope - it's dead and gone.

If I can find the folks to help me, we'll be picking this couch up tomorrow afternoon.

Looks a little worn in but for $150, it's perfect.

It's also REALLY long - 9ft!

I can't wait to accessorize and febreeze it!!!

I hope we don't live up to our repuatation with this one.

I'm tired of buying couches.

Vintage Twitter

(photo credit)

Hahaha - this is too awesome!

My love of Post-Its (yes, it's a brand specific love) fully explains why I love twitter so much!

Do you tweet?

I do!

www.twitter.com/theamandajo



Things I'd Like to See...

• Better guests on Conan.  Nothing against Seth Rogen and that one girl from Glee but, honestly, they were less than interesting.  Still though, I am BEYOND thrilled that Conan is back.  It's like a long lost best friend just moved back to town.
• A website dedicated to crafts, traditions and activities that are fun, encourage faith and glorify God.  If you guys know of a site that's like what I'm describing please share it!  There just doesn't seem to be one place (like family fun magazine's site) where we can go a search crafts and activities based on holiday, season or event.
• More press and love for Haiti.  Not only is this country in desperate need of the Gospel but they are still living in tent cities struggling just to survive.  Recently, they've been ravaged by Cholera, which has killed around 500 people, but did you know they were just hit with a hurricane?! Just this past week it made landfall causing widespread damage and flooding and, to make matters worse, the river that the Cholera is originating from has overflowed its banks.
• More Christians adopting.  Adoption is such a beautiful example of what Christ has done for us.  Because of His sacrifice we have been adopted into the Kingdom and we have the opportunity to adopt orphans into our own homes and lead them in the way of Christ.  David and I have adopted one so far, we're feeling lead to adopt another so hopefully the Lord will work that out for us soon.
• Cheaper healthy food.  You all agree with that so enough said.

Goings On

Last night we were surprised with two tickets to see the Rangers play the Mariners last night!

Since there were only two tickets offered David decided to take his little baseball player with him, which gave me some much needed time to myself.

Boy was it nice!

I got to watch Julie and Julia for the first time.

Still can't believe it's taken me so long to see this movie.  It was WONDERFUL.

Makes me want to learn French and turn this into a cooking blog.

When D and E got home at 11, Ethan was all over the place telling me about their great seats and how the ladies behind him gave him their peanuts and how John Hamilton didn't get to play because... {seriously, this is how he said it!  just one big run on sentence}  ....he hit the wall and hurt his ribs and how they didn't get to catch any foul balls.  Needless to say, he was a bit wired.  Ha!

This morning was Ethan's parent teacher conference, which I was almost late to since David is uber sick and I had to get him all set for the day!  I honestly thing it's either a severe cold or the flu - and we don't have insurance on him right now - yikes!!!  I hope it'll go away soon, we have a family reunion to go to on Saturday.

Anyway, parent teacher conference:  It went much better than I expected.  Obviously Ethan has issues that are holding him back but his teacher and Iare working together to get him everything he needs.  The Lord really blessed us with a GREAT teacher!  She's offered to tutor him after school each day to help him catch up to the other kids!  She's even working to get him into Occupational Therapy to help him with his writing issues and motor skills.

(more info on this topic HERE)

So anyway, that's us in a nutshell right now!

Yep...

Saturday, E's baseball game was cancelled

due to some wonderfully beautiful Fall rain.

We spent our day cleaning and lounging around.

Sunday was full of worship, family and celebrations.

I also watched Sister Wives on TLC with Kate. That was somethin' else, I tell you what!

And I just might be addicted.

I've also been working on some Polyvore stuff.

Just fiddlin', ya know?

Romantic Fall by theamandajo featuring mont blanc sunglasses

Personal opinion, that skirt is TO DIE FOR!

Do You Bachelorette? **possible spoilers**

I do!

Don't judge me!

It's my guilty pleasure!!!

{do you guys watch too? if not you should!}

{if you do but haven't finished last night's episode

EXIT THIS BLOG NOW AND RETURN WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED!}

Sooo.... a lot has happened so far on this season of The Bachelorette! The guys they chose seem to be either self centered, attention hogs or just plain ol' crazy. There are a couple of great guys on the show though {roberto and kirk!}. Here, let me introduce you to the major players; at least the ones at this stage in the game....

You're welcome.

Jesse

23, General Contractor, Missouri

Jesse is a sweet, humble guy who I had pegged incorrectly from the beginning.

I really felt like he was just a party guy trying to relive is frat boy days.

Turns out I was wrong.

He's a sweet, hard working guy who owns his own home and loves his dogs.

Sadly, even though he impressed her with his singing abilities, Ali sent him packing last night.

She kept a total freak and sent this guy home.

Shame...shame...

Kirk

27, Sales Consultant, Wisconsin

I REALLY like Kirk. While they're relationship got off to a pretty **ahem** steamy start, he seems like a very genuine guy who's there for the right reasons.

I was really impressed when he talked Ali into going to her suite to rest. She really was too sick to be dealing with all the guys.

I especially loved how he stayed with her till she fell asleep and then left quietly.

Jonathan

30, Weatherman, Texas

GOODBYE, JONATHAN!

I am SO glad he's gone!!!!!

Don't get me wrong, I think he's a sweet guy but he's just way too emotional {or is it obsessive?} for a show like this. He's much better suited for just one-on-one dating. The competition not only for Ali's heart but simply for alpha-dog in the mansion was probably too much for a sweet guy like Jonathan to handle. I think that outside of a show like this that Jonathan is most likely a perfectly normal, well balanced guy. Honestly, how many times have we seen competition and bullies (Craig M.) make an otherwise sane and rational guy crazy?

Roberto

26, Insurance Agent, South Carolina

Roberto is my pick for the win!

He's sweet, sincere, charming and SO cute with Ali! He really seems like he's the most sane out of all of the guys and they definitely have a GREAT time together. I love that he's salsa danced with her, played a game of catch, walked the tight rope with her and even performed with her in The Lion King on Broadway.

Unless there's some horrible, well hidden, skeleton

{and I hope there isn't}

in his closet I think Roberto has this in the bag!

Justin

26, Entertainment Wrestler, Canada

The occupation says it all.

This guy is a fake.

You could tell it from the beginning.

From his broken foot to stealing a date from Hunter (eliminated episode before last) when he trekked three miles to see Ali during their "down time".

I won't go into details but from what Reality Steve is saying - this guy is REALLY not good!

I hope he goes soon.

Frank

31, Retail Manager, Illinois

One word: Overrated.

So what he quit his last job and moved to Paris to write screenplays. He's back now, living with is parents, managing a retail store and writing screenplays. There are some pretty awful rumors going around about him that I hope aren't true for Ali's sake but, still, I kinda hope are true for Roberto's sake. It seems like Frank and Kirk will be Roberto's biggest competition.

Kasey

27, Advertising Account Executive, California

FA-REAK!

Seriously. If you haven't seen this episode than you simply won't understand. Kasey sure seems like a sweet enough guy but there's something REALLY off with him. As if telling Ali {over and over and over and over} that he wants to "guard and protect her heart" isn't enough - he makes up and "sings" her some "romantic songs" and, to make matters worse, gets a TATTOO for her! FOR HER! I'd like to be a fly on the wall when he tells his grandchildren the story behind that tat.

****************************************************

So who do you think will be in the top two?

I'm calling Roberto and Kirk!!!!

*****************************************************

So there ya go!

You've been completely caught up on who I think the major players are in this show so far.

Keep an eye on Chris L. though; I didn't do a write up on him this time but he's quickly becoming a contender.

Weekend Run Down

Please explain the following picture...

On an unrelated note...

Did this weekend fly for you guys!?!

We didn't even do that much but it just felt so busy!!

We did about 900 loads of laundry.

Watched at least 5 episodes of Law & Order SVU.

Watched The Blindside.

Twice.

Went to a graduation party!

{my high school bff got her masters!!! Yea Yasmin!!!}

Had breakfast with one of my youth girls.

Went to church.

{i actually got to sit in on a sunday school class instead of teach one!}

Listened to an amazing sermon on evangelism.

{just more fuel for Thursdays, ladies}

Had lunch with my aunt, uncle and cousin.

Took a 2 hour nap.

Lead our final His Girl Bible study.

Ate pizza with the family.

Did more laundry.

Went to bed.

How was your weekend?

Celebrating Randomness

My blog is random.

I love showing you guys funny things I'm in to and even the funny things I'm NOT into. I get so much joy out of telling you all about my son and all of the the wild things he says; my husband and how sweetly ornery he is (I don't blog about him very often cause he just doesn't "get" blogging and therefore doesn't trust it!). I usually can't wait to tell you what hit me during my quiet times (QT), how stressed and confused I am or even how the Lord is convicting me in one area or another. I get excited to tell you guys about how I decorated something or how I hit the jackpot garage saleing or antiquing. I even like tell you guys little secrets or oddities about myself - no matter how embarrassing they are!

I read all these other blogs that have central themes: decorating, adoption, trying to conceive, Biblical womanhood, their children, thrifting, crafting, cooking, baking, books, faith, God, cancer, illness, healing, raising teenagers, Baptist life (yes, I'm a dork and follow quite a few of these), special needs children, saving money, living simply.

All the advice in the world for a "successful" blog tells you to "focus on one thing" or have "a set topic".

Obviously, I've gone a different route.

I really want this to be a successful blog with lots of followers and lots of comments but I'm not willing to compromise what I really want to blog about just to focus on one aspect of my life.

Actually, now that I'm thinking about it- this blog DOES have a set focus!

My Life!

My life is random.

Messy.

Funny.

Dramatic.

Difficult.

Simple.

Faithful.

Challenging.

Blessed.

So what if this blog doesn't take off and become the next

Pioneer Woman, Like A Warm Cup of Coffee or Nesting Place!

(nothing against them - i picked 'em cause they have super popular blogs)

It's a place for me to express myself.

To share my life.

To connect with my readers on a personal level.

Ladies, what you see here is me.

THE REAL ME.

Just like in real life, I don't have a filter.

I just live out loud.

Take it or leave it, I live out loud.

So to my readers (all 4 of you) - thank you. You're the best. I appreciate the time you've invested in me and I hope that you feel like I've invested in you.

My Latest Addiction

I hope you're addicted now too.
It's seriously the funniest show since The Office(which still reigns supreme, by the way).

What I've Got...

I was tagged by one of my FAVORITE bloggers in the whole wide world:

Hilltopper!

For some odd reason, she wants to know what in my purse.

I switch bags and change things out pretty much daily so when I read her post on Friday (or was it Saturday?) I decided not to clean out my bag until I got to take a picture of what was inside it.

Here's what I've got (FYI: I carry a GIGANTIC purse)...

• gift card for a pedicure (standard $35 pedi comes with a hot stone massage)
• camera
• index cards
• sharpies
• WW journal
• prayer journal
• pens
• keys
• hair stuff
• 3 subject notebook
• key to get into my office
• wallet (my first Vera Bradley- I'm in love!)
• a DumDum
• change
• sunflower seed shell
• half of an unwrapped piece of gum
• cell phone
• invitation
• broken sunglasses
• church budget

Now I'd like to know what Marge, Shayla and Amanda are carrying around!

Weekend Update

We had a GREAT Easter weekend. Sadly, though, I forgot my camera at the office along with my Clue: The Office Edition.


Mom of the Year, right here!


Anyway, here's what we did:


Friday
Lounged around. Went to Mardel. Bought some sweet tea at Chick fil A. Grabbed some groceries. Hung out with my MIL and SIL at the park and then watched New Moon. *pretty good, despite the bad reviews*


Saturday
Went to Weight Watchers (lost 1 pound!). Hubby and I got much needed new shoes. Chatted with my friend in Vienna, Austria while shoe shopping {love my new phone!}. Bought a couple of flowers for the patio. Grilled some burgers and hung out with the amazing Crowell family.


Sunday
Church! Great service, just sad I had to miss so much of it - Ethan was TOTALLY WILD that morning and refused to do what he knows is right - so we sat in the lobby for most of it. Ate ham, green beans and mashed potatoes. Napped. Tackled laundry mountain. Oh, also watched some of Palin's show on Fox - great content, the host is kinda annoying though.


Monday (so far)
Walked. My feet are STILL in lots of pain while I walk despite the new shoes. Would it be odd for me to talk for fitness in my Toms? Those don't hurt my feet at all! QT was great - after two days of neglecting it, it was so refreshing to get back into the Word.


So there you have it...

On this day...

• I started God's Love Alive in You for my quiet times. It's REALLY good! I recommend anything by Kay Arthur and Precept Ministries.
  
  


• Lord willing, I will do my Walk Off the Pounds video tonight. If I don't update twitter/facebook letting you all know I did it - HUNT ME DOWN!
  
  


• I need to get serious laundry done! All of our clean clothes are still in hampers waiting to be hung/folded. Honestly, we have more dirty clothes than clean at this point.
  
  


• Sort out the mountain of papers to be filed and shredded - this should be tons 'o fun! Good thing American Idol is on tonight. Who are you guys rooting for? I'm a Casey James fan! I have a thing for bluesy, soulful music!

• Maybe after AI, we'll watch some Thin Man - it's been a while and I'm having a hankerin' for a good ol' murder mystery - and sarcasm, of course!

The Fanny Pack is Back?!

I'm sure you all remember rockin' these!

In the 80's nothin' said fresh and hip like a neon fanny pack and acid washed jeans.

Guess what?

They're back!!!

Not the acid washed jeans... yet, at least.

I'm talking about fanny packs!

That's right!


If this is the wave of the future I just might approve.


Does that mean I'd wear one?


Heck no! I've been scarred by the ones my mom used to make us wear. You couldn't pay me enough to slip one of those puppies back on.

Unless it's paired with one of these and I'm garage saleing...

Still Missing Conan

I've always been a big fan of Conan. Just to prove my love, behold a picture I drew on Facebook's "graffiti" application a couple of years ago for a friend.

Anyway...

There's still a gap in my evening schedule after the news. I just can't stomach Jay Leno - he's just...not Conan.

Anyway, that picture up there is more than just a picture. It's a link to my Conan fix - his Twitter! He's so stinkin' hilarious. Right now he's got a rivalry going on with Justin Bieber:

"As Bieber sleeps, I grow stronger. Sleep, Bieber. Sleep"

"Sweet victory! I'm now trending higher than my twitter nemesis, Justin Bieber. Who's the tween heartthrob now?"

Anyway, if you're missing Conan like I am, follow his tweets. You'll get just a wee bit of a Conan fix. Either that or you can see him live but you'll have to take out a small loan for that!

~~~~~

Thank you all again for your encouragement! I'm still amazed by the support and community the blog world has to offer!!

The Bachelor

The scene was set.

Romance was in the air.

The stairway to the viewing room was lined with roses.

The food was delicious.

...and we were ready!

Only to be disappointed by a stupid boy and his "baby".
Blech!



Good thing we had a barf bucket ready.



Here's the poor guy who had to listen to us holler and cackle all night.
- from the other room of course!


Thank you Shell (and Jared) for having us all over.

See Ya!

this video cracks me up...

I hesitated posting this video because of the language

but it was just so funny and

I have nothing to blog about today.

Sooo....

without further explanation - here ya go.

BAD LANGUAGE WARNING

just in case you didn't get it the first time i warned ya

** EDITED: In the spirit of full disclosure - the comedian narrating this video says the a-word twice and is bleeped once. So it's not laden with cursing but I just like to warn people...

You know, just to be on the safe side.

Tosh.0
Video Breakdown - Pantsed on the Train
http://www.comedycentral.com/
Web Redemption 2 Girls, 1 Cup Reaction Demi Moore Picture