Sporadic Saturday--I Need Your Input

As I examine my blog, I have decided that I would like to get your input about something.  I am at 130 followers.  In another week, I can actually spend some time reorganizing my blog--lining up the buttons, adding favicons, using blog backgrounds, writing more reviews, hopefully hosting giveaways, etc.  So that will be coming.  I can make that promise to you.  My goal is to have my blog looking great by the time January comes.  It really shouldn't take a long time since I kind of know what I am doing.

As I have been reading other blogs, I have discovered that offering free things to my readers are a great incentive.  Perhaps I cannot offer all the giveaways that the big blogs offer, but I think the time has come to get some kind of freebies together.  

I also plan to do a lot more networking.  In fact, an idea was given to me by another blogger, and I plan to put it into effect after my next giveaway ends.  I am going to make a goal of trying to network every day at least for 10 minutes.  I feel it is the least I can do.

I have thought about hosting some "swaps" amongst our members.  I got involved with a Secret Santa exchanges this month, and I forgot how much fun they were!  I had a blast.  I think  we could do something like that. 

So, I have a lot of ideas.  I have shared a few of mine.  I want to hear from you--my readers.  What would you like to see from this blog?  You can be honest.  I will not take offense.  Please don't personally attack me--that's all I ask. I am sure you want more giveaways, and here's hoping.  You can tell me what kinds of giveaways would interest you.  You can tell me what kinds of reviews you would like to see.  What kinds of posts would interest you the most?  What I can do to be more welcoming.  This is all new to me, and I know I have a lot to learn.  So please feel free to share.  And to the experienced bloggers, please share what you have learned.  I want  to be a better blogger.  I started this blog because I love to write.  And it is nice to know that people are truly reading this blog.  

So please let me know.  If you want to share candidly, my e-mail address is public, and you can certainly share!  Thanks!

Fortified Friday--I know it's actually midnight Saturday morning!

Up late because of good things for a change.  I'll let your imagination run wild.  I'm not going to post recipes because I still have the ones I listed from last weekend to make.  So what I plan to say tonight is this.

I  am planning to add more vegetables and fruit into my meals.  I  posted how I have gained some weight, and I used to eat at least 3 veggies a day and 2-3 fruit.  So I plan to get back to this.  I really need to get away from eating all these canned meals that are loaded with who knows what.  It is time to make a change.  While this week will not be that week, I know that I need more fruits and  vegetables in my diet.  It may mean eating a salad at least once a day, but I can handle it.  I used to do it all the time.  That is when I lost all my weight.

So expect to see some changes in the recipes I post as the new year begins!

Don't Forget!

Don't forget to enter my giveaways!  They end tonight!

Thoughtful Thursday--My Goals

That time of year is almost upon us.  I know  I started that 12 things challenge, but it was too late in the year to do that.  I do like to make New Year's resolutions--I tend to keep many of them.  I enjoy getting to set some goals and with God become more the person He wants for me to be.  I'm sure I make  some  of the usual goals that so many do, but I do try to complete at least some of them.

So what are my goals for 2011?  I am just beginning to think.  I will list some tonight.

1.  I have gained about 5 pounds or so, and  I definitely need to rev up my exercise plan and perhaps even track my calories again.  I think my weight gain has come about mainly due to stress.  I was doing some reading, and stress can cause weight gain even if you do not change what you are eating.  I am not an emotional eater except in extreme circumstances. My goal is to get down to 135 pound.  I have about 15 pounds to go.


2.  To reach 300 followers of  this blog by the end of 2011.  I think that is a reasonable goal.  After all, I am nearly at 130.  And the summer will finally give me some time to get some things done with it.  With the increase of followers, hopefully I will  get my blog neatly and beautifully organized.  And hopefully I'll have some giveaways!


3.  This is one I had last year and just didn't do.  I want to make some  more  gifts this coming year.  I have lots of craft links saved, and I could make some  great gifts--I have in years past.  So my goal is to make at least 1 craft per month that I can give as a gift--or give away on here.


4.  To consistently spend time with the Lord.  To grow in my spiritual walk.  That is always a goal.  I am  way behind in my Bible reading, but I plan to get caught up tomorrow.

You know,  I think I need to look into creating some kind of challenge concerning 2011 goals.  I'm sure others will, but I think  it might be kind of interesting if I hosted a challenge.  I'll have to put my thinking cap on!

Well-Spoken Wednesday--"Letters to Juliet" movie review

I have to admit I racked my brain trying to think about what to talk about tonight.  It's been so busy, and I often feel I cannot catch my breath.  I hope to get busy once my Christmas break comes with getting some meatier posts and truly networking.  I hope to create an e-book and possibly develop some freebies I can share with you  each month that relates to this blog.  I really do want to improve as a blogger.  I have lots to learn, and  maybe I'll have some time!

Now to the movie review.  A couple weeks  ago--maybe 3 now--I happened to request a movie from the library.  I saw it advertised on our Direct TV pay per view channel, and I liked the fact that it had Taylor Swift's song "Love Story" on it.  That is a song that God has used in my own life in regards to the promises concerning Martin.  So I thought I'd give it a try.  I remember when it came out in the theaters, and I wanted to see it, but as usual,  I don't get  to see films I want to see unless they appeal to my daughter.

I was fortunate to be one of the first at our library to receive this movie. I sat down on a Friday night, and I began to watch it.  Although the engaged couple were living together, there were no bedroom scenes and no really bad language.  That was refreshing.  And I looked forward to seeing Vanessa Redgrave in it.  I remember her from Camelot.  She was always so beautiful and such a great actress.  As they all were  in that family.

I was  drawn into the premise of the movie.  People would write letters to Juliet and leave them on the wall of  her supposed house.  Then Italian ladies would  answer the letters.  An American lady, Sophie, who is engaged to a chef, Gael, has come to Italy with her fiancée for a "pre-honeymoon."  The idea is to spend some quality time together before they get married.  He is preoccupied with his chef and restaurant duties.  She is left to her own devices,  and she finds and unanswered letter to Juliet from some 40 years ago.  Sophie answers it.

Enter Vanessa Redgrave as the grandmother Claire to Charlie, a young impudent from England.  Claire has come to find her long-lost love.  Charlie is against the entire quest.  But as he and Sophie help Claire to find her love, Charlie and Sophie unwittingly fall in love.  You can probably figure out the rest.  I'll  just say it has a happy ending as chick flicks always must!

This movie touched me because Charlie is a proud Englishman who does not believe in romance.  And  he was oh so handsome!  The actor, Christopher Egan, is dashing!  And I couldn't help but think of Martin.  Yes, I was brought to tears.  There I was crying like a silly schoolgirl at the end  of the film.  What a sap I have become!

I got to watch the film again the next day because my mom wanted to see it.  It was so nice to see a nice film with virtually no bad language or questionable scenes.  And Vanessa Redgrave--it was so nice to see an older lady who has not bought into all  the plastic surgery garbage.  While she is definitely aged, her figure is still flawless, and she has loads of spunk.  I enjoyed her a lot.

So if you get  a chance, buy or rent (or check your library) Letters to Juliet.  If you like a good romance film,  check it out!

Twilight Tuesday--What I Taught Today

It was a great day because I was request by a teacher who is fantastic and runs a great class.  And today she had a great lesson for them. This group of middle schoolers read an article about the dangers of texting and driving.  While all these students are too young to drive, they see their parents and other drivers around them do it.  And I was reminded of a video I saw a couple years ago.  It is so graphic that it stuck with me to this day.  I don't know for sure if this is the full video, but I'm going to post it here.  I'll try to watch it again, but not right before bed.  I don't need nightmares.  Only watch this video if you are willing to see a graphic portrayal of what can happen while texting and driving.



The best thing was that one of the girls took the article home so she could show her mom.  She said her mom really has a bad habit of texting while driving.

Sorry to be grim, but I felt that maybe someone needed to see this.

Music Monday--Song of Choice Lately

I haven't given you a lot of details concerning the household issues, but things are tough.  My dad makes them very tough due to many things.  In light of all this, I am going to post a song that really describes a lot of what he is doing lately.  I don't mean to be so blunt, but it is true.  Weird things are happening--hence this late post.  I just have to keep trusting God and holding onto Him!  Which I will do!