30 Days of Insight Day 30

 We made it!  Here's the original post!

Day 30- Ways you believe you have grown over the past thirty days.

Actually pretty easy!  My blog chronicles it well.  I have found my style of blogging, and I am ready to tackle my own challenges.  Thanks for joining me in my journey.  I have lots more to share, and I am grateful that God has blessed me in so many ways.  My spiritual life has really improved as a result of this blog, too.  So on to bigger and better!  

 

Twilight Tuesday #2--the Twilight Edition

I know it's late again tonight, but I had not forgotten.  Things have been so busy around here that I want to have a friendly competition.  I'm not sure what the winner will receive, but I know it will be small but nice.  I just can't spill my heart on you tonight.  I am very tired.

In keeping with the theme of twilight, I would like for you to look at the clip art here and write an original story about what you think  might be  happening.  It's your chance to do some creative writing.  You can make  these as  long or as short as you like.  You may post your entries here, or if you like, you may e-mail them directly to me at ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com. Just make sure you put twilight contest in the subject line.

Okay, I know it sounds crazy--I know  it does--but it's nearly eleven here, and I am rather sleep-deprived.  I will accept entries from now until Friday, October 8 at 10:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time.  I will only be using random.org if I have more than one  entry that I feel is well-written and fits the theme well.

I bet you weren't expecting this from me tonight--okay, I wasn't expecting to do it either.  I have some good ideas for a prize, but I think  I'll keep all of those hidden until a winner is chosen.  By the way, only one entry per person.  However, I will add this.  If you have a family member--even a child--who would like to write the story instead of you, please feel free to do so.  If you would rather write a poem, be my guest.  All creative writing  genres are open.  I won't be expecting a 200-page novel  from anyone, but if you're up for the challenge, who am I to stop you??  One more qualifier.  Do try to keep the story PG-rated.  I would like to be able to post these on here, and I do want to keep this a Christian blog.

So go ahead and get your thinking caps on!  And no, you do not have to be a follower of this blog to participate.  But we are almost at 100 followers, and you know what that means!  My 100 followers giveaway if soon coming.  And don't forget about my other  giveaway!

30 Days of Insight Day 29

 If you want to see the original challenge, click here.


Day 29- What you live for. 


What I am  about to say is what  I truly strive to live for.  With the help of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I live for Him.   And I do mean I cannot do it without Him.   I would like to think I am self-sufficient and live to fulfill my goals and dreams and to help others around me to do the same.  But that is truly leaving God out of the picture.  I could say that I try to live my life for Him.  But do you see what I did?  I put the emphasis on me, not on Him.


"To live is Christ,  and to die is vain."  The apostle Paul said that.   


I have one more day!  Yes!!

Mrs. Miniver Book Review

Mrs Miniver by Jan Struther
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I remembered seeing this film several years ago, but I couldn't even remember who the star was--I thought it was Bette Davis  (It was really Greer Garson). I remembered it being an epic film,  but that's  all I remembered.


When I picked up this  book, I wasn't sure what to expect.  It was a shorter  book than I had been reading--which was really nice!  And the chapters were  short.  I also liked the setting--England before WWII and during it.


I have to say that I was not exactly enraptured by the story nor the writing style.  I discovered later that this  book was originally a set of vignettes that appeared in the paper.  It suddenly made sense why the chapters seemed disjointed and short.  As the reader, I often felt that I was getting just  brief glimpses into this family's life, and I did not even understand it sometimes.  Until later.


I also discovered the purpose for this book  and why it is such endearing  classic.  It is a picture of a life that used to exist before the War.  The main character, Mrs.  Miniver, tries to cling to that old life where everyone lived a life of comfort and enjoyed the simple things of life.  Mrs. Miniver is indeed the round character in this book--probably because the story is essentially told from her perspective.  Honestly, I was not familiar with everything she spoke about, and I almost couldn't read the Cockney.  But to Mrs. Miniver's credit, she was not afraid of hard work, and she was willing to do everything she could to keep her family happy and together.


I gave this book only 3 stars because I just didn't feel I could get into it like I usually can.  I was somewhat disappointed in the story and the fact that  I never felt I really knew Mrs. Miniver--that is until the end of the story.  My favorite chapter was probably the last chapter because I finally understood why Mrs.Miniver was the way she was.  Want to know why?  Not saying--read the book.


If you want a quick  read that  is not too deep and is quite classy, I would recommend this book. Know that there is not a lot of real action or deep emotion in it, but  it is a classic after all.  I will be watching the movie again very soon.  Maybe I'll understand and remember it better.


View all my reviews

                       

Music Monday--New Country Singles Review

Okay, we got back pretty late tonight, so I am behind.  It will be quick  but hopefully still good  tonight.

I have noticed a lot of new  country singles out there.  Some, in my educated opinion, are fantastic.  Some are okay, and some are just plain bad--I won't post those.

My new favorite song is Zac Brown Band's duet with Alan Jackson called "As She's Walking Away."  When I first heard this song, I knew it was Zac Brown--it could be no one else,  but I  didn't know it was Alan Jackson until later.  I truly love this song--Zac Brown has truly come into himself in this CD.  I plan to review the entire  album at some point, but not  tonight.

Zac Brown Band - As She's Walking Away ft Alan Jackson

And there is also a new  Taylor Swift song called "Mine" from her upcoming album.  I have to admit that when I first heard  this song, I was not  too  impressed  with it.  As I have continued to listen, there are a few lines that have spoken to me--especially the bridge section--the part beginning with 2:30 A.M.  You'll see it.  It will not ever be as good as her other songs "Love Story" and "You Belong With Me,"  but  it  is good.



Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish fame is also releasing his second country album.  I liked this song from the beginning.  He is such a nice guy, and he seems so approachable.  See what you think of his "Come Back  Song."

Darius Rucker   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

Now to the mediocre.  Okay, I love Reba McEntire--I saw her in concert earlier this year.  I loved it.  But she has released a song that is growing on me, but it is just not her normal  kind, I don't think it does her justice.  Here's her  "Turn on  the Radio."

Reba McEntire   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

And finally, Easton Corbin of "A Little More  Country Than That" has released "Roll  With It."  I have his album, and there are much better songs on it than that.  Here's a live version  of it since there is no studio video yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a-SvJgwRvE

Sorry, it won't let me embed  it.  Share your thoughts!  And share your new music, too!

30 Days of Insight Day 28

If you want to see the original challenge, click here.


Day 28- A moment you remember being completely happy in and a description of why you believe you were. What is your definition of happiness? 


My definition of happiness?  Resting in the will of my Lord and Savior and completely putting my will far from me.


The happiest moment of my life, with the exception of becoming a believer, was the day my daughter was born.  Indeed it was exciting to discover  I was pregnant.  And it  was wonderful to go with a home birth.  It is something for which I will always be grateful.


I remember wanting a little girl so badly, but I basically resigned myself to having a boy.  You know how it is, mommies.  You would be happy either way as long as the child is healthy, but...  


I remember my sense of relief as I pushed this child  from my wound.  I remember  them trying to tell me to look in the mirror so I could see my baby's head right before she popped out.  Nope!  I had one focus.  I wanted to see my baby!


Once this child  was born,  I heaved a sigh of relief.  I honestly didn't think about the sex of the child  for that moment.  I remember the midwife telling my then husband, "Do you want to tell you wife what she had?"  I could  hear the smile  in his voice--one of the only times I ever  knew him to be  happy--and I was certain he was going to tell me  that it was a boy.  When he said we had a  girl, I hollered and hugged my mom.  I remember crying out something like that is what I had really wanted!


So this is the little one  who  made  me so very happy:

Meet Me on Monday 16th Edition

Questions: 

1.  How many TV’s do you have in your home?

2.  What is on your bedside table (nightstand)?

3.  How many pair of shoes do you own?

4.  Can you change a flat tire?

5.  Do you prefer sweet treats or salty treats?1.  Let's see.  1, 2, 3, 4--I think that's right.  Or maybe it's only 3--yes, we sold one.

2.  My glasses, a lamp, a really cute Kleenex box, my alarm clock, a doll in a cute little chair,  and a rocking horse music box.

3.  I think 10-15 pairs.  No real biggie with me.

4.  In my mind, I can change a flat tire. I know  the steps.  But  that's why I have AAA.  I certainly have never done it and do not intend to do so.

5.  Give me sweet treats!  Give me chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, peanut butter chocolate, mint chocolate--I think I see a theme here!!

Sorry I did not include pictures.  We got back  late tonight.  It's  been a long  day!