If I'd Known Then

While reading a magazine article the other day, I was led to check out If I'd Know Then by Ellyn Spragins from the library.

Apparently there are 2 different books in this series. The first is What I Know Now: Letters to My Younger Self and the second, If I'd Known Then: Women in their 2os and 30s Write Letters to Their Younger Selves. Both books profiles the letters of highly accomplished women that includes counsel or encouragement addressed to their younger selves.

The interesting thing is their letters reveal even accomplished women have struggles—the same fears, concerns and shortcomings as anyone else. And in many cases they are still struggling...not wanting to conform to what the world wants them to be and a reminder that living life should be a joy...like playing in the sandbox, not wading through quicksand.

What would your teenage or early 20s have looked like if you had found a letter tucked under the mattress from an older-you? Maybe a few hints about friendships to treasure and relationships to steer clear of...advice about what really mattered and what didn't merit a single thought or worry?

At the ripe old age of 36, I'm not sure my wisdom is very profound...would it have really eased the heartache or fears of a younger-me?

I can't be certain....but I think that I'd have jumped at the opportunity to know these things a bit earlier in my life:


*Wherever you are, Be ALL there....don't dwell in the past or yearn for the future

*Don't allow insecurities to rule your thoughts

*Judgment and assumptions are dangerous territory.... Seek truth in all things

*Want what you have...true contentment brings incredible peace

Do I have all these mastered?

Seriously? Um..not a chance.

But my desire to leads me to the One that can make all those things a reality. You see, there was a greater story written long before me. I think He can handle whatever I bring to Him. He's certainly BIG enough.


What about you? If you could write a letter to a younger-you..what would you include?

Come on all you lurkers...don't leave me flapping in the wind all by myself here. You can even comment anonymously.

Back To School 2009

Here we are again, Lord.

Their backpacks are loaded and their faces are scrubbed

and their lunch accounts are full.

And I know you'll walk with them, Lord.

You always do.

But a mom still has to ask.

Will You walk with them?

Will You whisper to them what they need to hear,

when I'm not there to whisper it?

Will You please, oh please, cover their school

with the protection only You can give,

and will You keep harm far away?

Will You make their minds strong and ready to learn?

Will You help them understand that hard work

honors the One who created them?

Will You guide their teachers, giving them patience and wisdom and creativity and more patience?

Will You bless them for their efforts?

Will You love all those children there,

the ones whose lunch accounts aren't full,

the ones who feel alone?

Will You teach my children to be kind and unselfish

and to love those who are different from them?

Will You point them back toward home

just as soon as you can?

Lord, I give them to You today and every day,

trusting them to Your care.

Amen.

***A Mother's Prayer on The First Day of School, received via email from a dear friend. Thanks M! Blessings to R & J today.

A New Party In Town

The planning of a birthday party can sometimes take the actual fun right out of that party....Especially if you have already tackled all the major ideas like gymnastics, inflatable rentals, pool parties and laser tag.

And if someone asks if you've considered having the party at your own house.... You have my permission to tell them to go sell crazy somewhere else because you are all filled up at your house.

Yes, I did just say that outloud.

How 'bout a mobile video game experience?

What is that you say? A mobile man-cave of sorts?



Yessirreee!

CurbGames.com might just be what you are looking for.

CurbGames features the most popular video games from Nintendo Wii, X-Box 360 and Sony PlayStation 3. 3 mobile theaters are available, each developed to provide up to 24 multi-player stations.

And not to worry...they do have rating systems for what games are featured in the mobile theater that will pull up in front of your casa.

Inside CurbGames you will find an air conditioned "limo style" luxury Mobile Video Game Theater with 4 50" plasma TVs and 16 linked multi-player stations.

Outside you will find 2 50" plasma TVs with an additional 8 linked multi-player stations, all equipped with the latest fully interactive games such as Halo 3, Rock Band, Call of Duty, Guitar Hero 3, Wii Sports, Mario Brothers, Sonic and much more.

Something tells me this isn't going to just be for kids....once the men get wind of this, 40th birthday parties will take on a whole new look.

And we thought rollerskating parties were big stuff back in the day.

Ooops, I just showed my age.

Check out CurbGames.com. They are available for birthday parties, team parties, corporate events, family gatherings or neighborhood events.

Niftee 50ees Turns Back Time

Have you ever driven near 249 and Spring Cypress on a Saturday night and happened to see a Classic Street Rod or a 60's Muscle Car driving past?

Chances are they are either going or coming from the Niftee 50ees Classic Drive-in.

The Niftee 50ees Classic Drive-In is held each Saturday from 6-10 pm in the Kroger Shopping Center located at Spring Cypress and Champion Forest.

This is no small show....on any given Saturday, north of 100 classic cars can be found parked in this shopping center.

The show is geared toward models earlier than 1979.....classic Street Rods, 50's Cruisers, 60s & 70's Muscle Cars. You will be stunned at the selection and the amount of people that mill around during those 4 hours. These types of cars draw quite a crowd. It's a well known fact...avoid shopping at the Spring Cypress/Champion Forest Kroger on Saturday night if you can avoid it.

Grab an early dinner at Schilleci's (read some of their fabulous reviews here)and then take your time walking through rows and rows of amazing pieces of history. Feel free to bring your camera. And don't hesitate to ask the owners questions...they LOVE to talk about their cars.

Don't miss out on this local treasure! Their 2009 season ends right before Thanksgiving.

Free Poster offer from Walgreens

Do you have a favorite pic from this summer that would be perfect as an 11x14 poster?

You are in luck.

Log on to Walgreens.com today and use the code FREEPOSTER when checking out. You'll pay just $1.99 shipping and get a fabulous larger-than-life memory from the summer.

Code is only good for today...so get to it!

Psstt.....Walgreens is giving away free stuff all week! Take a peek:

Wednesday - FREE Photo Clings (you save $9.99, pay $5.99 shipping)
Thursday - FREE 20 4x6 prints (you save $3.80, pick up in-store)
Friday - $0.99 Scrapbook Page 8x10 (you save $4.00, pick up in-store)
Saturday - 50% off Everyday Photo Books (you save $5.00 for 20 pgs, $1.99 shipping)

Sneak Attack

As parents, we are always trying to stay one step ahead of potential danger lurking.

When a facebook post regarding internet filters appeared on my wall last week...I thought this would be a great thing to share.

But an internet filter isn't just to protect the kids in your house...let me explain.

A few years ago, a friend of mine shared with me a children's photograpy website called Chubby Foot Designs. When I went to check it out...I typed in Chubby Feet designs and let's just say that a lot of chubby showed up....but it was large ladies with not a stitch of clothes on.

EEEWWW!

I think I literally let out a primal scream of fear, shut down the site and immediately did several viral scrubs on my computer. I was so convinced this foul site had implanted their nastiness on my computer that I felt the need to warn the Best Buy guys, when taking my computer in for service over a year later, that if they found pictures of naked chubby women to please, for the love, remove them and that I DID NOT PUT THEM ON THERE. They assured me that had pretty much seen it all. And proceeded to laugh their heads off at the possibility of me having chubby girl nudey pictures on my computer.

Boy, would have I loved a filter right about then. Did I mention I also had another lovely site called Hot Lolita's imbedded on my computer?

Magical.

And you thought this would be a boring post about internet filters.

This is not your typical Monday post, Ladies.

A website called Top Ten Reviews has done the research on internet filters so you don't have to....To read reviews of 10 highly-rate internet filter software choices go here.

Two others that have been mentioned in the responses are I Am Big Brother and Covenant Eyes..but I'll be honest and say I've heard mixed reviews regarding the later choice.

After 12+ comments on that particular post, the filter most recommended is YOU. Keep your
kid's computer in a public place like the kitchen, as much as you can.

So there you have it. Check the meat and spit out the bones, if you will..but at least give it a glance for future use.

And stay away from chubbyfeet.com.

First Impressions

The day is upon us. The day when you meet the person who will spend time with your precious angel from the Lord for 5+ hours a day, Monday-Friday, or some variation. Meet the Teacher is about a week away.

We waited and waited for those letters to come in the mailbox. That little piece of paper brought a range of emotions: happiness, frustration, disappointment, uncertainty. Will this teacher really be able to appreciate how smart, funny and special this child is?

Nothing like a new school year to get you on your knees. God knew who your child's teacher would be this year and know without a doubt, He has a plan for them. Remind me of that when I open my boys' teacher letters. Thank you in advance for reminding me, It is going to be SO fine...whatever the letters says.

My mom-in-law is the Queen of Susus. What are 'susus' you ask? Susus are little gifts that she finds and sends for no reason, just to say she was thinking of you. As a former teacher, I am very careful what I give or bring to the classroom of my boys' teachers. And as one would guess, I usually steer clear of bath products, coffee mugs, stuffed animals and wooden jewelry because I received a lot of it when I taught. So heartfelt, but still too much bath gel isn't a blessing. BUT, when my friends, Leigh Ann & Julie, let me in on their Meet the Teacher susu secret, I had to share.

Gourmet Apples and More is a little shop right in front of Champion Forest Baptist Church that sells chocolate-covered creations. They have chocolate-covered rice krispie treats, pretzels and as you would guess, apples! But these aren't just any chocolate-covered apples, they are works of art. To give you an idea, they have Plain Jane (dipped in caramel and then dipped in chocolate), Rocky Road and Heath Bar. The apples on their website are the large variety which run $14ish and the smaller size are $6ish. And when I spoke to the sweet man who was answering phones today, he said they will last 2-3 weeks in the fridge. They open for the season on Monday and will be open from 10-6 daily. Bless his heart, he had been receiving phone calls from several spirited ladies that day, frustrated that the store had not been open for the private school meet the teacher events.

So as summer draws to a close and you have a bit more spring in your step, remember to bless those sweet teachers as they begin this new school year. Nothing says love like chocolate!