Book review: One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer

"Taste and see that the Lord is good, Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!"

Psalm 34:8

This is a wonderful book, for anyone who is in the dessert, or has ever been in the dessert away from God. Wondering "Why? What has happened? God are you still there?"

This book is an encouragement, and it is as refreshing as a cold glass of water on a hot day! This books talks about the Israelites that left Egypt after being in slavery headed to the "promise land" only to wander about the dessert for 40 years. At the end only 2 spies (which comes to about 1 per a million) who thought they could enter the promise land.

This is a great read and if you have not found this book yet, I would take the time to do so! This would also be a great book to do a bible study with and hear from a group of women their perspective on the different chapters, the verses highlighted in this book, and their experiences with following God.

I for one am so glad that I had the opportunity to read this book!

"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord"
Psalm 27:13-14

keeping it real

Well this is my once a week report on how I am doing - learning to run and getting in shape. This is my accountability - it is to keep it real, and keep my honest!

Well this is how I fared:

*I made my goal of doing 10 miles walk/jogging

*I did not do Pilate's or yoga even 1 time! Ah!!!

I was having feet pain - horrible pain!! the day after I walk/jogged 2.8 miles I spent the next day with my feet on ice, popping ibuprofen like it was candy and whining. Lots of Whining!! However my neighbor - expert runner - came over and took one look at the shoes and said "scrap those shoes! That is what is causing your feet pain" . So with that in mind I am going to go shoe shopping this weekend. I will probably be looking at a New Balance or Ascics running shoe. Because honestly, it is hard enough to get this body going and keeping on -with out my feet putting me on the sideline the day after I exercise!

New goals for the upcoming week:

*12 miles walk/jog

*yoga and Pilate's at least 2x each (I know I am a sucker for punishment - but I would really like this to be part of my routine!!!)

My next keeping it real post will be next Friday - thanks for indulging me and helping me keep it real!

Acts of Kindness

Look what I received in the mail the other day! and I do not know who it is from. There was a sweet card attached that said it was a random act of kindness to brighten my day.! Well it definitely brighten my day!! Now I am trying to think how I can continue to "pass it on" or "pay it forward". Hum..............

Also thank you for everyone who offered such sweet encouragement from my post on Friday. Blogging encouragement means a lot!! That in itself is an "act of kindness"!!

Who else have you encouraged lately? Have you done a random act of kindness lately??

I only run if someone is chasing me!

That was the mantra I had lived by for the last 20 years. However some small changes have been taking place in my life that is bringing that mantra to a change.

1. A good girlfriend of mine started to jog (consistently!!)

2. My across the street neighbors have been running

3. One of my brothers has started up jogging

(THE TRUE REASON IS NEXT -YES! I AM THAT VAIN!)

4. I saw a horrible scary picture of me with a view of my bottom - AHHHH!!!!! Need I say more!

So I have decided that I should try to get fit. So I started out a week ago walking. Then I stumbled across some really inspiring blogs :

* Chubby Chicks run to

* Learning to run

* Real Fat

* Half-marathon-running

I found these blogs inspirational and started to think "maybe I could achieve my weight loss goal". So I started walking, then I started walk/jogging and much to my dismay I am liking how it makes me feel. (I know I am as shocked as anyone!)

So I have decided to post once a week, an update on this attempt -just to make an honest woman out of me! Trying to add margins (which is my theme word for 2010) to my routine in the form of exercise.

So here it goes:

I have walked/jog 6.8 miles so far this week

I have done yoga 1x so far this week

My goals for this week are:

to walk/jog 10 miles this week

do yoga 1x this week

do Pilate's 2x this week

My end goal is to do a 5k this fall and see if I can get more fit in the process. We shall see! (and much to my hubby's dismay I have him out there walk/jogging with me!)

Book Review: The style strategy: a less-is-more approach to staying chic and shopping

Well I will be honest - this book caught my eye completely based on it's title and the description. I was surprised to see that Project Runway judge Nina Garcia was the author. I personally have always found her professional, well spoken, but not necessarily the lady I feel like having girl talk with over a diet coke. Well let me be the first to admit - I was wrong!!!
Nina Garcia is so personable in this book, and really relates to the struggle the mere woman has with shopping and trying to put together an attractive wardrobe on a budget. I really enjoyed this book! I had my highlighter out highlighting her different advice and I can not wait to get my hands on her other books!! If you have not read one of her books - I suggest you run not walk to get your hands on one of them BEFORE you shop for your fall wardrobe!!


Remember the post I did about 4 things every lady needs and I confessed that I did not have a scarf. My good friend Jayna surprised me the other day with the beautiful pink scarf! The picture of the boots well that is a story in itself -( I confess I already had a pair -it was the 1 thing I had from the list of 4). However the other day I was out and went garage sale shopping and found these black, Banana Republic boots for only $2.00!!!!

RHOK Linky Party-What room are you most comfortable in?

Hi! I am participating with the lovely ladies over at the RHOK mclinky monday-where they challenged each of us to take a quiz. The quiz told us what room we are most comfortable in. Well quiet please, drum roll now.... I am most at home in the living room (Say what? I am shocked that it did not say that I was most comfortable soaking in a hot bubble bath!)

You Are Most at Home in the Living Room

You're the type of person who always feels relaxed at home. In many ways, it's where you're at your best.
You love to chill out at home. You are not the biggest homebody in the world, but you appreciate the time you spend there.

There's nothing like having a few friends over to watch a movie or just talk in your living room.
You are proud of the home you've created, and you love to share it with others.

Now I will confess I do not think you truly can get to know someone until you have kicked off your shoes and really visited in each others homes. My very best friends even have "Messy home privileges" (GASP!! I Know your shocked I do occasionally have a messy home,, and those sweet dear friends are the few besides family that I trust can come on in, and not judge me and still like me anyways!)

So I challenge you to take the quiz and learn
what room are you most comfortable in?

or if you just know you know, well then let me know! - what room are you most comfortable in?? Inquiring minds want to know! Operators are standing by...

Happy Monday!

Perfect Pairing Psalm 97:6

Psalm 97:6 (New International Version)

⁶ The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.

Love Like Crazy - Lee Brice (official video)

I love this song, and want to share it with anyone who needs some encouragement, or just a pinch of romance back in their life. Long lasting love is possible it is just takes work, prayer, and dependence on God.