Bless You

Aaaaaacchhhoooo!!!!!

When someone sneezes around here it's pretty much common to say "Bless You".

My momma taught me this ... along with my southern manners.  Makes for awkward situations like this one, but yeah...

So, living down here in the Bible belt, I never really stopped to think about the fact that Bless You is just my knee jerk reaction.  I never really stop and think about exactly what I'm saying.

Do you?

Do you notice when you tell an absolute stranger bless you?

Do you mean it?

I guess what really got me thinking was when my Indian co-worker sneezed and I said Bless You.  Then I wondered ... is it appropriate to say that to a guy who I know is a Hindu?

and once again ... do I really mean it?

You know even though I may not actually speak the words of blessings of Jesus, I do mean it.  I do wish that God will bless my co-worker.  I do wish that he will one day know the joy of Jesus Christ.

I do really wish for God to bless every individual that sneezes.

I have also been thinking about the Completing Him marriage challenge which I totally did not post on because Monday was crazy busy.  This week's challenge is to pray for your husband.

I am so bad about prayers.  What a horrible thing for a Christian to admit, right?

One time during college I was a leader for a Campus Fellowship group.  We had some of the leaders go pray during service.  So, I volunteered.  Two or three of us went to the back room and prayed while the Bible study was going on (I may have been trying to impress a boy).  I prayed ... and then I feel asleep.

At least I woke up before the service was over.

So, for help with this I consult this verse --

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version)

 ¹⁶Be joyful always; ¹⁷pray continually; ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

One of the suggestions from the praying challenge is to say a prayer for your husband every time you take your wedding ring off.


I love that idea!  


I'm going to try to pray more, to live my life more in prayer.  To think more about God on a daily basis.  To see the bigger picture.  To pray more for my husband.  and to really mean it when I say "Bless you"


and I'm definitely not going to stop blessing all the sneezing people


(kinda the same way I can't stop saying yes m'am)   

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I need guest bloggers!!!!!!

I will be away for the most part of next week at my sister - in - law's wedding.  Next Wednesday is also my 3rd Anniversary so I want to have a Week of Weddings.

I would love to feature a guest poster talking about any part of your wedding that you would like to talk about from July 5th - July 11th.  That's next Monday to next Sunday.  (I call Wednesday)

Please let me know if you are interested!!!!!!

A is for Audrey

I found this fun game!  Someone suggested the idea of making alphabet posts into a photo book.  I am totally doing that with this ... maybe Christmas gifts?  You don't have to go in order, but I started with A anyways!

The Lie

Just because I feel like ... I wanna play a game!6 Truths and 1 LieRules -- I'm going to list 7 statements below ... 6 of them will be true, 1 is a lie and you get to guess which one is the lie.

1. I have tendinitis in my wrists from playing handbells
2. I broke my ankle as a child on Christmas Eve
3. I work in an immunology lab even though I failed immunology in college
4. I'm one of the few Southerners who don't like Sweet Tea or Coke
5. We moved to Nashville because I got a job at Vanderbilt
6. The diamond in my ring is my Mother-in-law's diamond from the ring my Father-in-law proposed with
7. The year after I graduated, they removed my degree from Auburn

#3 is the TRUTH!!!!  Immunology was one of those classes you could choose from as an elective for my non-existent major.  Don't worry ... I used a "GAP" = grade adjustment policy and now it's gone from my record, but not from my memory, lol.  I'm still doing pretty well at work though!  (ironic ... right)

#5 is a LIE!!!!!  We actually moved up to Nashville because Andrew was offered a job at T-mobile ... even though I was the one who had just graduated with a bachelors degree.  And then the economy started sucking ... T-Mobile 're-arranged', and Andrew was laid off.  Right after he had surgery to remove his gal-bladder.  But that's a whole 'nother story, :-)

What a Weekend

Oh my ... what a weekend we had!!!!

and I am totally counting today as part of the weekend because I had to take the day off to get the car fixed ... more on that later ...

Friday afternoon / evening we had our first Microbiology and Immunology Department picnic.  That was super fun, and it was at our favorite park ... Dragon park!  It's called that because it has this super cool mosaic dragon in the park (which I didn't get a picture of).  One day I should pepper y'all with pictures of that, lol!
Picnic time!

I was glad so many people came, especially since it was the first year trying out this idea.  It's always fun to see people from other labs ... because we usually just stick within our own little cliche labs.

Leah strutting her stuff on hopscotch

My boss and his girlfriend ... because I made them come :-).  They weren't going to come, and pretty much only talked to me, but eh ... I finally got to meet the girlfriend, lol!

Did I mention that everyone loved my girls?

Saturday we didn't do much ... kinda because we were afraid the wheel might fly off our car.  It started making this horrible clacking sound so we took it in.  The left wheel barring was extremely loose and even though the mechanic said it was ok to drive there's always that bit of doubt in the back of my mind ... especially at the thought of our wheel rolling away from the car.

So, we stayed home and played ...

Sunday evening we braved the car (well, Andrew had to brave it everyday because of work) and ventured to a large park to hear the WannaBeatles.  They were pretty sweet, and apparently it's a big deal ... we missed that memo before...

We took dinner, ate and listened ... and then went to the playground ... of course!  I have never seen so many teens and older kids on a playground ... although every time we go to events with teens around ... I worry that I age about ten years

...can you believe that girl is wearing that? ...

...listen to that language...

...oh, kids these days ...

and I thought I was cool

well, here are some pictures to take your mind off of my old-lady-ness

Monday ... otherwise known as today ... I went and got the car fixed.  I had to wait on it at Midas, and I was a bit worried it would be super boring.  I came armed with a huge book and their t.v. fixed on TBS sitcoms from the 90's.  Then two people also came in and waited on their car.  We ended up talking for like 2 hours!  It was crazy ... we all talked like old friends.

and our car is fixed and runs better than new!!!!

So, you see ... it's been a long day (and weekend).  I'll post my Completing Him challenge post tomorrow ... it's about praying for your husband!

5QF and a video

Apparently I started a blog to embarrass myself ...


It's Friday and that means its time to play along with Mama M's 5 Question Friday!




She posts 5 questions, we answer, link back and read each others!  Sound like fun?  Click the button to play along!

1. Do you know how to play a musical instrument?

I play piano, trumpet and handbells ...

ok, Andrew stop reading now

I'm serious!  ... you didn't leave?  I'm never going to live this down

Mama M ... you better be my friend after this ... for reals, or else I may go cry ... ignore the cracks and stops/starts, keep your mouse on the volume, and if you bring out a tuner on me I'll kick your butt

stop laughing ...


Brandi don't leave!!!!!  you know you loved my song :-)

2. What is your pet peeve while driving?

oh my gosh ... what isn't?
--people who drive with their blinker on but never change lanes
--people who cut in front of you without using a blinker
--people who turn left from the middle straight lane
--people who force themselves in front of you while in a turn lane
--people who tailgate so close you can see up their nose
--and traffic

did I mention I've been known to have road rage?

3. Would you rather have a housekeeper or unlimited spa services?

A housekeeper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  do you know where I can get one?  who will work for free?

4. Is there a song that you hear that will take you back to the moment, like a junior high or high school dance?

"I'd Die for You" Bon Jovi -- I dated a guy who thought it was 1985 in high school (for me that was 99-03).  No, I don't know what I was thinking.  He was/is sweet, and strange.  His 'song' for me was Bon Jovi of course.  He requested it to be played at Junior prom, so that song always reminds me of prom.


Except I always thought that was a strange song to dedicate to someone.  Sweet, in a way, I guess.  but, why would I want you to die?

5. What song best represents your life right now?

oh, this is a tough one ...
I asked Andrew ... first he said "It's a Hard Knock Life", then he sang "Jesus Loves Me".
Thanks for the help babe...

hhmmmm.... there's always a Relient K song to share!

"Be my Escape"

I’m giving up on doing this alone now 

Cause I’ve failed and I’m ready to be shown how 

He’s told me the way and I’m trying to get there 

And this life sentence that I’m serving 

I admit that I’m every bit deserving  

But the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair

Alone

Alone

Sometimes I'd rather be alone

to stand up strong to every foe

to show that I can hold my own

a single solitary force

When others come I creak and groan

I complain for I'd rather be alone

I don't want them here

I don't need them here

I can do it on my own

But when they leave

I cry

tears fall from the sky

and sting me as I wait

all alone

Perhaps I'd rather not be alone

As I sit in solitude waiting

I notice all around me

is a force that never moves

For in all weathers, it shields me

protects me even if not completely

even when I am alone

He is near me

Sometimes I yearn to be alone

perhaps not to fight every foe

perhaps not to prove a point

but just to reflect

relax

enjoy

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I took this picture when I was in college on the Auburn University campus.  This poem is inspired by Mama Kat's workshop.

If you want to see the before and after edit of the shot check it out here -- Before and After

I also linked my poem up with The Southern Institutes new blog hop -- What's on your heart?

Crawling

Did I tell y'all my baby is crawling?

mom ... will you stop taking pictures and help me get out of here!

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Just because I feel like ... I wanna play a game!6 Truths and 1 LieRules -- I'm going to list 7 statements below ... 6 of them will be true, 1 is a lie and you get to guess which one is the lie.

1. I have tendinitis in my wrists from playing handbells
2. I broke my ankle as a child on Christmas Eve
3. I work in an immunology lab even though I failed immunology in college
4. I'm one of the few Southerners who don't like Sweet Tea or Coke
5. We moved to Nashville because I got a job at Vanderbilt
6. The diamond in my ring is my Mother-in-law's diamond from the ring my Father-in-law proposed with
7. The year after I graduated, they removed my degree from Auburn

#1 is TRUE!!!!!  I know ... I just killed most of y'alls guesses, huh?  hehe.  I was (and still would be if I had time) an avid handbell player.  I was with a very advanced group in high school, so when I went to college I didn't want to give it up.  Well, the group at the local church there was just a bit less advanced ... and since I was good at reading music, I was given 7 low bells.  low bells = big bells = really heavy.  We went to a weekend conference where I played a lot and hurt my wrists.  6 months later ... I went to a doctor who told me I have a form of tendinitis called painters wrist.  Its from doing the same motion a painter would over and over again.  

Which one is true?  #3 or #5?

I'm not lying!  Here's an entry from my LJ (live journal) after that weekend ...

03/04/2005 -- 

i had a good weekend. the bell festival went well. i stressed my wrist though, yeah that kinda sux. i have to take advil to keep the swelling down, even though you can't really see that much swelling, mom says i still need to take it. and i have to ice it twice for 30 minutes like all week. fun. i have this nifty sleeve thing if i need it though. oh, why i strained it, well i play the bass bells in the choir which are seriously bigger than my head. for anyone who knows, i play C3-A3. yeah, big bass bells. but i came away from the concert with an increased love for handbell music and the want to get back into soloing. 

Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

Right Now

Partly Cloudy

95° F

Feels Like: 100° F

Wind: Calm

Details

hot
hot
hot













I am thinking...about the possibility of moving to Birmingham.  Why Birmingham?  It's where my family is and much closer to Andrew's family.  and it's where I grew up.  We know more people there, and I have a friend who works in a lab that has an opening.  And I could carpool with Lisa!  Have you read her blog ... The Sarcastic Lab Rat?  If not, you should!!!!

I am thankful for...the feeling of peace I have today

From the kitchen...I made pan-fried chicken fingers last night!  big deal for me b/c I can NOT cook.  Seriously, you think I'm kidding, but no ... I suck horribly at cooking.  But I can make things that come from a box (usually)

I am wearing...jeans and a nice shirt and tennis shoes ... pretty much what I wear everyday.  One awesome thing about working here ... you can where whatever you want!

I am creating...a blog post ... haha (I laugh at my own humor).  I'm also running a gel electrophoresis on the PCR samples I ran this morning to figure out what the genotype of the mice upstairs are ... ahhh science

I am going...home after work, and maybe we will get to play with bubbles on the front porch ... if it's not too hot!

I am reading...The Paris Vendetta by Steve Barry

I am hoping...that I get this new job, that I can start losing weight, that I can remember everything I need to get done

I am hearing...The Dave Ramsey Show on WTN

Around the house...Audrey has started crawling and it is the cutest thing ever!

One of my favorite things...playing on the floor with my girls and hearing them both giggle

A few plans for the rest of the week: Well, nothing fun really this week, but this weekend is fun!  We have my company picnic this Friday and a meet and greet with church this Saturday

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

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Just because I feel like ... I wanna play a game!6 Truths and 1 LieRules -- I'm going to list 7 statements below ... 6 of them will be true, 1 is a lie and you get to guess which one is the lie.

1. I have tendinitis in my wrists from playing handbells
2. I broke my ankle as a child on Christmas Eve
3. I work in an immunology lab even though I failed immunology in college
4. I'm one of the few Southerners who don't like Sweet Tea or Coke
5. We moved to Nashville because I got a job at Vanderbilt
6. The diamond in my ring is my Mother-in-law's diamond from the ring my Father-in-law proposed with
7. The year after I graduated, they removed my degree from Auburn

Number 6 is TRUE!  Our engagement was pretty sudden and quickly and at the time Andrew didn't have enough money to buy a ring.  His mom had her original diamond put into a necklace when his dad surprised her with a larger ring.  So he took the diamond from the necklace and placed it into a ring for me! One day when Andrew surprises me with a bigger ring (hint, hint) I hope to pass the diamond down along to our son ... or future son-in-law :-)

Which one is a lie?  #1, 3 or 5?

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