Farm Fest

A week from today our youth group will be participating in the very first Farm Fest. It's a very cool event that Brandon came up with to support families in Asia.

The kids have all been challenged to build their own "farm". In order to do this, they are asking for donation from people to purchase animals for their farm. The money will be sent to Gospel for Asia and animals will be purchased in India for the Dalits, or untouchables. If you go to my church and you haven't been asked by a student to make a donation, and you would like to, please let me know. I think you might be interested in learning more about the animals that can be purchased:

Chickens: The eggs provide protein and other nutrients for malnourished families. As the chickens reproduce, they can eat the meat, or sell them for extra income. You can purchase one for $11.

Rabbits: Rabbits provide nutritious meat for families. They also reproduce quickly providing more food and additional income. They cost only $11 each.

Goats: Goats produce milk which provides nutrients and can be sold for money. The goats also reproduce and the offspring can be sold for additional money. One can be purchased for $60.

Pigs: Pigs can provide meat and offspring to provide extra income. They have a lifetime of up to 15 years! They are $55.

Cows: Cows provide milk which contains calcium, Vitamin D, and protein. Not only do they provide milk, but the milk can make cheese, yogurt, and butter as well. One cow costs $375, but we are asking for donations for shares of the cow at $75.

Water Buffalo: These animals provide transportation, a plough animal, cart hauler, milk giver, and a very sturdy creature to join a Dalit family. They cost $460, but you can purchase a share for $92.

The kids are very excited about the weekend. We plan to do a variety of farm themed activities such as line dancing, pumpkin bowling, bobbing for apples, cow tipping obstacle course, and a bonfire. On Saturday we will be touring an AIDS exhibit at a nearby church. If you are interested in learning more about this weekend, please let me know or talk to a middle schooler (I can send you to one of the girls in my group).

Pumpkin Carving

Mike and I decided to carve a pumpkin...it's been years since either of us have done this and we thought it would be fun to do such a traditional fall thing.

Fall Photo-Shoot

Yesterday afternoon Mike and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful fall tres and blue skies and do a fall photo shoot. We had fun posing and goofing off for the camera.

I like how this picture shows the contrast between the gold tree and blue sky


Lots of colors at this park!

I had a hard time choosing my favorite pictures from all we took, but here are my top 4...

Makeover Monday

You may remember a few months ago when I posted about mineral foundation. Now I have discovered another mineral product--concealer! I have never used a powder concealer before, so I really didn't know what to expect! I was pleasantly surprised when I used new product. It goes on very similarly to the mineral foundation, and you can build coverage as needed. I think that for me, it does a great job of concealing, especially my dark under eye circles!

To order this, or any AVON product, please go here.

Can anyone help me out?

I am having some problems when I try to take pictures of small objects up close. As you may have noticed from some (not so good) pictures I have recently posted, these pictures turn out quite blurry. With my old camera, I never had this problem. Now the camera shows that it's focused and looks good but when I push the shutter button, it goes out of focus and takes a blurry picture. Is there something that I may be doing wrong, or does anyone have a brilliant idea to help me take clearer pictures?

Makeover Monday

I was never really one to wear lip color until I started working in the office and decided that it looked more polished and professional and I liked that. I bought a lip gloss and I really like the color, but I found that after an hour or so, the color had all worn off! So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I was looking through the "What's New" brochure for Avon and discovered that they were introducing Perfect Wear, a long lasting lip color! I placed an order for one and I will definitely be ordering more!

This isn't just your average lip color either! First you apply the colored coat. You have to let it dry, it only takes about 30 seconds. When that coat is dry, you apply the clear glossy coat. This adds shine, plus it plumps your lips! I couldn't tell a noticable plumpness to my lips, but I don't really have thin lips, so maybe that's why. I did experience a neat tingly feeling when I put the gloss on!

The best part is, this lip color really is long lasting! I put it on about 8 or so in the morning and when I get home from work in the afternoon, the color is still visible. (The gloss doesn't last too long, but that's fine with me. I don't need super shiny lips all day, but if you wanted shine, you can apply when you want). The other day Heather said she could still see the color at that was at 6:30 at night! This lip color definitely has my vote!

To order this, or any AVON product, please go here.

Everything you never wanted to know about me

I saw this on Mari's blog and I thought it looked like fun. Feel free to join in the fun!

The phone rings. Who will it be? Chances are pretty good that it would be Mike calling me. He does a really good job of calling just to see how my day is going!

When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? Yes- it drives me crazy when people just leave their carts all over the parking lot, I don't want to be one of those people!

In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? It really depends on who I'm with, but it's usually split pretty equally.

Do you take compliments well? No, not really. I always have to come up with an explanation rather than just accepting the compliment.

Do you play Sudoku? Yes, I love doing Sudokus!

If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive? For a few days at least. I have a pretty good sense of direction, so I think I would be able to attempt to find my way out.

Did you ever go to camp as a kid? Yes, once in 3rd grade to Brook Cherith and once, I think it was 5th grade, to Camp Geneva.

What was your favorite game as a kid? Ghost in the graveyard.

Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you? No, my faith is such an important part of me, that it would never work to be with someone who didn't agree with that. (I stole Mari's answer, I couldn't have said it any better!)

Do you like to pursue or be pursued? I'm old fashioned, let the guy do the pursuing!

Do any songs make you cry? Nope, not much makes me cry.

Are you continuing your education? No, I just graduated, so it will be a while before I consider that!

Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth? Yes, in Chicago.

How often do you read books? Quite often! I read at work while I'm waiting for laundry to wash or dry. I also read a bit at home, but not as much as I use to. I'm a fast reader so I can get through many books in a short time. I just read the 4 Twilight books in 2 weeks!

Do you think more about the past, present or future? The future.

What is your favorite children’s book? Every Monday in the Mailbox. I think I checked it out from the church every other week when I was younger!

What color are your eyes? Blue

Where is your dream house located? On a lake.

If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed? My computer! It has everything on it...all my pictures and important things.

When was the last time you were at Olive Garden? A couple weeks ago.

Where was the furthest place you traveled today? About 2 miles to work so far.

Do you like mustard? No, unless it's in a recipe and it's not so distinct.

Do you look like your mom or dad? People say I look like my mom.

How long does it take you in the shower? About 10 minutes.

Can you do the splits? Ha ha ha! NO!

What movie do you want to see right now? Couple's Retreat.

What did you do for New Year's? Last year Mike and I went to a Griffin's game and then back home to watch the ball drop on Time's Square.

Do you think The Grudge was scary? I never watched it.

Do you own a camera phone? Yes, I just got the EN V3

What’s the last letter of your middle name? E.

How many hours of sleep do you get a night? Usually about 8 or 9.

What do you buy at the movies? Nothing, Mike usually pays for our tickets. Sometimes we'll splurge on popcorn and pop or candy though!

Do you know how to play poker? I learned once, but I don't remember.

Do you wear your seat belt? Always.

How many meals do you eat a day? I skip lunch occasionally, but usually eat three.

Do you like funny or serious people better? Funny.

Ever been to L.A.? I have never been to California.

Did you eat a cookie today? No, but one sounds yummy!

Do you hate chocolate? No way! I love chocolate!

Are you a gullible person? Yes - I believe the best of people until I learn otherwise.

Are you easy to get along with? Most of the time.

One of the best ways to spend a day off :)

I had the day off today and this is how I spent it.

English Muffins


Caramel Corn

M&M cookies

Apple Crisp

Trommel Keok (Drum Cake)


Brownies with Marshmallow Fondant Filling (in the oven right now!)

Grandpa Update

Grandpa had his surgery on Monday evening. According to the doctor, it went as well as he would have expected. The colostomy was a success. Last I heard, Grandpa was doing well and in good spirits. Thank you for your prayers.

Grandpa Update

Grandpa should be going into surgery any time now. They were able to get him in sometime after 8 tonight. The surgery should take about an hour.

Update on Grandpa

Just thought I would give a quick update on my Grandpa. He did not end up having surgery on Friday. The operating doctor came down with the flu and was not able to be there. No-one else could perform the surgery, so they had to postpone it. Now he is on the list for Monday, with a "?" after his name, so it's not even definite that he will have the surgery on Monday. We are hoping he will, as this period of waiting is very frustrating for him and the rest of the family.

Grandpa

Please pray for my Grandpa today. He has been having some health issues this year and was admitted into the hospital on Monday. Sometime today he will be having a colostomy. Please pray for my mom as she is heading up the Whitby to be with the family, as well as my Grandma and the rest of the family as they spend the next few days in the hospital.