And the Winner Is.....

I wrote the names of all the entrants on yellow sticky tabs and then had a co-work pick one out of the box.  And the winner is.....Heidi at 2 Thinks to Share

Heidi, send me an e-mail and I'll get the book and your gift out to you in the next couple of days!  Congratulations!!!

Loving Them Now

I've met a new friend recently and we were talking after church last night. She told me they lost their 13 year old daughter to cancer a couple years ago. You know I really didn't know what to say when she told me. I can't even imagine what that must be like. But she said she had noticed during church that my youngest daughter and I were holding hands for a short time. She said it reminded her so much of her daughter. And in her saying that it made me think that I really need to enjoy these days and times with my girls. They won't always be here. I pray I will never lose them to death in my life time, but we don't know what God has in store for us.

But I do know that one day (and it really won't be that long) they will move out to start their own lives. I know I will miss them and I know I need to make as many memories as I can now. Now Lord willing when this happens, they'll come home often, but God could call them to a far away land, like he has so many people.

I think this was just a real wake up call for me.
Lord help me to remember and help me to love my girls while I have them at home. Help me to treasure each moment you give us together.

And this is the prayer my husband and I pray almost nightly for our girls.

Lord, I ask you to place a hedge of protection around our girls and to open the eyes of their heart to see You more and more.

Random Dozen

Here are the Random Dozen for the first week of March!!  Go join Linda at 2nd Cup to play along or to read more.

1. Do you prefer even or odd numbers? Any particular reason?
I don't remember ever really thinking about this before.  Probably even because who wants to be the odd man out?
2. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being "not at all" and 10 being Carly Simon-worthy, how vain are you?
Depends on which day of the week it is....probably about a 3 or so.
3. Among these Irish stereotypes, with which do you identify most closely? Talkative, Proud, Inquisitive, Love to party, Hot-tempered
Talkative and sometimes hot-tempered.
4. How lucky do you consider yourself?
I don't believe in luck, but I am extremely blessed!
5. What is the subject of your favorite post that you've written?
I don't know. I can't remember yesterday, how can I remember that.
6. Describe March weather where you live in three words.
Cold, Wet, Grey (at least right now anyway)
7. How apt are you at detecting blarney when you hear it? (Smooth talk, flattery)
Probably pretty good, unless I want to be fooled then I can believe it's real.
8. How "green" are you, environmentally speaking?
Not near as good as I should be, but probably about as good as I'm gonna' be.
9. What is your favorite song this week?
I can't say I really have one, but what popped into my head was "I Can Only Imagine"
10. You are walking along and see a coin on the ground. What denomination does it have to be before you will stop to pick it up?
I'll pick up any coin, even pennies.  Do it all the time. Hubby and I always say that makes our next Disney vacation 1 penny closer.
11. Complete the sentence: "Every time I look outside my window ...."
I hoping to see sunshine.
12. What was the #1 song on the day you were born? See this site to find out.
"Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear" by Elvis Presley

Don't forget to enter the I Win...You Win Traveling Book Carnival.  You have until Thursday night at midnight.  Giveaway announced on Friday.  Click here to enter.

Can Cold Water Clean Dishes

I received this e-mail this week and loved it and wanted to share it with you.  Hope you enjoy.

Can Cold Water Clean Dishes?

This is for all the germ conscious folks

that worry about using cold water to clean.

John went to visit his 90 year old grandfather

in a very secluded, rural area.

After spending a great evening chatting the night away,

the next morning John's grandfather prepared

breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast.

However, John noticed a film like substance on his plate,

and questioned his grandfather asking,

'Are these plates clean?'

His grandfather replied,

'They're as clean as cold water can get em.

Just you go ahead and finish your meal, Sonny!'

For lunch the old man made hamburgers.

Again, John was concerned about the plates,

as his appeared to have tiny specks around

the edge that looked like dried egg and asked,

'Are you sure these plates are clean?'

Without looking up the old man said,

'I told you before, Sonny, those dishes are as

clean as cold water can get them. Now don't you

fret, I don't want to hear another word about it!'

Later that afternoon, John was on his way to a nearby town

and as he was leaving, his grandfather's dog

started to growl, and wouldn't let him pass.

John yelled and said,

'Grandfather, your dog won't let me get to my car'.

Without diverting his attention from the football game

he was watching on TV, the old man shouted!

'Coldwater, go lay down now, yah hear me!'

Meet Coldwater ! 

Don't forget to enter the I Win...You Win Giveaway below.

I Won...You Win! Traveling Book Carnival

We have a fun carnival going on called “I won... You win". This is a traveling book carnival, started by none other than Robin at Be Still and Know. This is a wonderful idea, and it is a lot of fun. I was the lucky recipient from Nel at Fastenau Facts.   Along with the book she sent me several neat little goodies.  See.

 Nel is just the sweetest thing.  You really need to check her blog out.  You won't be sorry.  She gave me a lovely book of poetry and a photo album since she knows I love pictures and a bag of Lindt Lindor Chocolate Truffles.  Oh my goodness, I have never had them before and let me tell you, they are to die for.  Some of the best chocolate I have ever had.  Thank you Nel..I now have a new vice! lol 

The book we are sharing is “Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes” by Robin Gunn. It is a fun book and an easy read. Robin, our blogging buddy chose this book because of the parallels between pen pals and blogging pals. You can read her original post here.  I received this on Wednesday and finished reading it (and I ate the last chocolate too) on Saturday.  Awesome book.  I love all the Sisterchick books I've read and I think you'll love it too.  (Oh and by the way, I did share the chocolates with my family).

If you are the winner of this fabulous drawing here is what you must adhere to:

* Read the book. (Preferably within 4 weeks)
* As you read feel free to make notations in the margins of a specific chapter that you enjoyed or ideas that you agree on. Leave your footprints in the book.
* When finished write the date and your blog address on the inside cover of the book.
* Continue the “I won... You win Giveaway". Post it on your blog and accept entries. Surprise everyone and include a pretty bookmark or a special little gift, something from you in your mailing.
* Link back to Robin and let her know your Giveaway is up and running. She is keeping a running list on her blog.
* Last but not least, Have Fun!

Now for the Giveaway: If you would like a chance to read this book, receive several goodies and agree to abide by the above rules it is easy, all you have to do is leave me a comment on this post and your name will be included. The last day to comment will be Thursday, March 4th.. I will draw Friday morning and will announce the winner sometime Friday. Good Luck Everyone!
 
I've decided to add a couple more ways for you to get extra entries.  If you already follow my blog or sign up to follow my blog, leave another comment on this post saying so and that'll give you an entry.  Also, if you write a post on your blog about this giveaway, leave a comment and that will be another entry and one other way to get another chance would be to Twitter this giveaway and then leave me a comment.  So in all, that's 4 ways to get entries for this book.