Who am I, anyway???

I realize that a lot of you don't really KNOW anything about me, so I thought I'd just introduce myself a little bit! :D

But what do you want to know?? Or DO you? :D

Let's see. I'm the oldest of three girls, all spaced four years apart. Neither one of them wish to be "outed" online, so I'll respect their wishes. :)

I've lived all around the US, in each region, I think. :) I LOVE the Pacific Northwest, and it would be my permanent home if I were given a choice. But no matter where I go, God brings wonderful, special people into my life. My friends are very important to me!

I really like to TRAVEL, as in go to far places on a plane. :D I am a homebody, though, and on any given day I'd rather stay home and work than have to go out someplace.

I've worked in a lot of different fields! That old saying, "Jack of all trades, master of none"? Yeah, that's talkin' about me. :) Honestly, I think the thing that still gives me the most satisfaction is teaching - but NOT what I've done in the school system. I LOVE teaching people when they want to learn - like what I do with rubber stamping and scrapbooking. I love to hear people's reactions when they realize they can do whatever we're working on, and it's pretty, and THEY did it!! :)

I have a BA in communications, emphasis in interpersonal comm - which perhaps explains why my relationships with friends are so important to me! My minor's English lit - one of those truly USEFUL degrees. :D Did all that in El Paso, Texas. :D I've done community theater for YEARS, both on- and backstage duties. I love to be onstage, but it's a bit difficult when you look like I do. ;D

I still keep in touch with one of my best college friends - HI, RHONDA!!!!!!! :) - and she, besides my family, has known me the longest on this planet.

My parents have called me "Pooh" since I was about three. I still collect Pooh, and wear Pooh, and am called Pooh. :D

Then there are my best friends from Ohio I used to do theater with, Karen and Joe. I still have wonderful, cherished memories of our times together, and need to do a better job of staying in touch with them. Karen's husband is also a diabetic, with serious health complications. If you could pray for Doug when you think of it, we'd all be so grateful!

I met Kenn on the Internet, back when the Net was still in its infancy. We'll be celebrating 12 years of marriage next month! If you'd like to read more about that, go HERE and then read some of our writings - links on the right side. Karna actually knows us from the old days when we first got together! :D

I have a beautiful stepdaughter, Kaisa. She's happily married to Jeff, and they live in California. Children are in the PLANS, but not the WORKS. :D

I'm a type 2 diabetic, with eye complications. Speaking of which, I have another laser surgery on the 28th of this month, if you happen to think and would like to pray for me! :) I struggle with my glucose levels, but I know Who's got ALL of me in the palm of His hand, so I try to rest there.

I grew up in a Christian home, accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 6. There have been times of real stagnance (?? is that correct???) - but also times of great growth. God has been calling me to go deeper in Him for a few years now, and I feel like He has planned for this blog to play a role in others' growth, as well.

If there's ANYTHING you'd LIKE to know about me, please don't hesitate to ask. God's brought me through a LOT of trials, and has taught me that praising Him regardless of my circumstances is what He truly desires from me. It's not always easy, but I CHOOSE TO DO SO! :) Sometimes, praising Him is a sacrifice of our desires and will.

So, ask away. :D Tell me about YOU!!! Post to your blog, and let me know you did so!!! I want to know you, my friend. I care about you! I know our Father loves you deeply - so deeply, we can't comprehend it. I also know He wants us to live in His love, and to deal with others from there!!!! :)

Don't forget to enter the drawing for the book - scroll down for details. :)

Have a WONDERFUL weekend, dear one. Rest in Him!!!

Happy Thursday!!!

Good morning, dear friends! Forgive my absence yesterday; I was just having a ME day. :) Amy and I went out in the morning, and I took care of show business most of the afternoon. Kenn & I went to turn on heat in the theater space - it's FREEZING in there!!! - and then went to get some Chinese food for dinner. I'd been craving it since Monday. LOL!!

Anyway. Here I am! :) Aren't my flowers pretty??? They were left over from a production at the theater last weekend, and I was allowed to bring a few home. They're SO pretty, and smell sooooo good. There's just something luxurious about the way roses smell - and the feel of their petals, too. They've lasted all week - even the dreenery, which usually starts shedding its fronds. :) I've enjoyed them SO much!

Have you had a blessing like this one this week? Something that's small, but that continues to give you joy and/or pleasure? Share with me! :) I can't tell you how important it is to look for those things, dear one. God keeps putting things like this into our lives; it's one of His ways of showing you how MUCH He loves YOU. Have you enjoyed watching the birds at your feeder? Or watching the sun set? How about your child's hearty laughter? You're SURROUNDED by God's saying, "I love you! Take delight in what I've put around you - that's why it's there!"

So. :) There's a website called Fun, Crafts, & Recipes that, every Friday, puts out four food questions. I just found it, and want to start answering the questions! :D Here were last week's:

Here are this week’s four questions.
#1. Steak. Plain, steak sauce, hot sauce, ketchup or something else?

#2. Water. Flavored, plain, carbonated. How do you like it?

#3. What’s your favorite kind of waffle?

#4. If you could have any one new small appliance for your kitchen what would it be and why?

1. I like my steak with some A1 steak sauce. I always put some Worchestershire sauce, salt, & pepper on before we grill them, but I like the extra TANG of the A1. :)

2. Well, actually, I like the flavoring mix sticks you can put into your bottled water. My favorite lately has been Walmart's version of sugar-free Tang, the orange drink. :) I need to pick some more up, as a matter of fact.... :)

3. Gosh! I don't eat a lot of waffles. I love chocolate chip ones, of course. :) Maine blueberries are good, too. I also like IHOP's harvest grain ones. I'm really not picky! :)

4. Wow. Ummm....Maybe a fry daddy? We have a lot of great appliances already; if I didn't have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer, THAT would be my choice - but I do. :D

Fun questions! I'm looking forward to the next set, coming out tomorrow. :)

OK, dear ones, I'm going to run. I have lots of work I don't want to do still waiting for me. :D I'll see you soon! PLEASE know you are loved; He's waiting to talk to you today. Have you had your conversation with Him?