Picture Meme

About Me Meme...Rules-No words. Answer questions with pictures or graphics. Sounds like fun! Let's get started. Shall we?

1. What is your current relationship status?
















2. What is your current mood?











3. Who is your favorite band/singer?

























4. What is your favorite movie?











5. What kinds of pets do you have?


















































6. Where do you live?













7. Where do you work?














8. Who do you look like?

















9. What do you drive?




















10. What did you do Saturday?
















11. What did you do Sunday?














12. What is your favorite network TV show?












13. Describe yourself.











14. What is your favorite candy?

The Idol View From Here

I have not been a big American Idol watcher until recently. I kept up with this season. I didn’t see every episode, but we watched most performances. Jason Castro was an early favorite. Starting, I really liked Michael Johns, David Archuleta, & Brooke White. I can’t believe Johns got booted. Archuleta lost a little of his sparkle with me. It was eventually almost painful to watch Brooke. She always looked like she was anticipating something horrific or that she was about to cry.

I have to say most of the contestants lost me as a fan if they back talked the judges on their critiques. I think you can tell a lot about someone’s personality by how they handle criticism. Some were quite mouthy & ridiculous. Most received the good reviews with gusto, but got lippy with the negative stuff. David Archuleta seemed to handle his negative reviews with the desire to use them as a tool for improvement. Jason was the most humble recipient of his critiques, good or bad. High marks for this ability!

Overall, I believe this was a very talented group. Syesha was beautiful with a voice to match. David Archuleta was a cutie. He had this amazing, huge voice! David Cook has a real knack for arranging the music to suit him. My favorite thing about him was the improvement made to his hair. I really liked what they did with it. At the beginning it was not so great. At the end, it was awesome. Bottom line…none of these people captivated me. I enjoyed some of their performances, but I wouldn’t buy their albums or watch their concerts. Yes, that is my opinion & many people disagree.

Now, let me explain what draws me to Castro. First off, he seems genuinely a humble person. He was always smiling with a bit of aloofness that was very appealing. His attitude & remarks were unaffected & endearingly goofy. He has the same easy-going charisma that pulls me to another…Dean Martin. Do I think Jason sounds like Dino? Of course not, but he has the same distinct ability to entertain me with a simple voice & character. Neither of these singers have the best voices, but they have the charisma that is lacking in so many. They are magnetic to me. It is a joy for me to hear them sing. Their performances ooze with charm in a relaxed manner. They are pleasing to watch while they sing. Again, this is what appeals to ME. World view? No.

Jason has the Dino-esque charisma, but his style is completely different. He is in the same vein of two of my favorites….Jack Johnson or Tracy Chapman. Just give me Jason, Jack, or Tracy with their guitars & I am satisfied. They have a bit of a modern, folksy style, with more of an edge. It’s a kick back & enjoy type of thing for me.

I watched a video of Jason at his home church doing Chris Rice’s Clumsy. This makes me think he could do some stuff like my favorite Praise & Worship band, The David Crowder Band. Now, that would be the music to listen to!!

Jason is not the stuff for American Idol, but definitely the stuff for me. Will I buy a Jason Castro album? Absolutely!

Yes, these are my personal views & what appeals to me. Let the backlash begin…

Picture Charades #14

Category: Person

2 Words

Jay can't play. This is his puzzle.

So, it's up to the rest of you!

Que the Pomp and Circumstance March II

I wanted to tell you about my brother's (BurgerBoy) shopping trip with his daughter. He had to take Kenzie to Micheal's to get scrapbook stuff. Of course, he can't travel to the OKC area without going to Bass Pro Shop. I believe it's part of some hunter's oath.

Kenzie is your typical, teenage fashionista. She wanted her dear, old Dad to buy her a new graduation dress. I asked BurgerBoy why she needed a new dress. It will be covered with a graduation gown, but you know girls!

Anyway, she found the dress she wanted...at Bass Pro Shop. Do what? She is her Father's daughter. You might be a redneck if...

Picture Charades #13

Category: Person

3 Words

Picture Charades #12

Category: Place

2 Words

I'M SO EXCITED

And I just can't hide it.

Okay, so, don't tell anybody. I have purchased tap shoes. Yes, tap shoes. We're talkin' Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire wannabes here. It's really funny how excited I am. Only a little less funny is how excited the boys are.

I came up with a great idea for exercise fun for the whole family. I figured tap dancing would get ya up & moving. Not to mention, I think it sounds like a tremendous amount of fun. I'm not sure if this stems from the fact that my Mother never put me in dance class or that I never had a pair of tap shoes. Either way, I ordered shoes for each of us & a tap DVD.

We really love the look of the wing-tip, black & white tappers for the guys...very suave & sophisticated...also very expensive. So, the boys get the plain, black lace-ups for about $20. I love the beautiful, high-heel types for the ladies, but they are also a little out of my price range. Also, I question my ability to tap in them anyways. So, mine are plain, tan, mary-jane-type tappers.

So, yesterday I get a call & Colt's are unavailable in his size. What a bummer. All the other styles were too expensive. We will have to order elsewhere. Colt knows he's not going to get his at the same time as ours.

Guess what we have in the mail today?!! Rye & I have Gene & Fred dancing in our heads. My shoes fit like a dream & they are even more awesome in person! Riley tries his next...too small. He wants to try them out anyway, but I didn't let him since we have to exchange them. Talk about disappointment!

I just can't stand it. I have to do a little clickety-clack. Riley told me what a bummer he thought it was. I told him that I thought it was too & I wouldn't use mine until the boys' shoes came in. So, now can I keep from getting up in the middle of the night to dance my version of "Moses Supposes"? Maybe I should put their shoes on express delivery!!

There won't be any sugar plums dancing in my head tonight. It's gonna be me! Me & my beautiful new tap shoes. Can ya dig it?

Sing Stars

My family loves to play "Sing Star" at our

get-togethers. We are truly a talentless

bunch! I live by these words: If you can't sing

good, sing loud!

We look good...

Nice that you can't hear a picture!

This is my cousin, Chris with his brother, Chris...seriously.

The Chris on the left is actually a real talent.

I don't think we should let him play with us.

Dos & Shari

Dos does a little leg hike while he's beltin'.

Check out Colt's audience.

Little Jake is thinking "Is this guy serious?"

Chris bought "Rock Band" since our last get-together.

It's fun to play, not so fun to watch.
Chris' wife, Becky, is the diva here.

Suckers for Honeysuckle

The honeysuckle is blooming in our backyard.

These guys love that honeysuckle!

The boys have to share with the bees.

Sassy Black loves the honeysuckle too!

Big Changes

I have been considering how faith grows and how we are established in it. I know there was a time when it was with a heavy heart that I contemplated whether I could continue in this walk. As defeat continued in my spirit, I kept crying out to God, "Why? If I can't overcome, what do you want from me?" Thankfully there has not been a pull to return to my former manner of life, but there have been strongholds that stopped my walk dead in its tracks. The chains of sin were broken, but the adversary was able to drive me in other ways. There was a point when I knew I couldn't go back to my former lifestyle, but with a heavy spirit I relented, "Jesus, where else is there for me to go but to you?" These words of Simon Peter were evident in me, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:68) I knew there was nowhere else for me to go, but I doubted my strength in pursuing it. I am thankful for His mercy. I now feel rooted in the Word and my walk feels more sure. I pray to continue to be strenghtened.

I know there are seasons for us & we should be patient & faithful through every season. This is a learning process also. I look back when the homeschool process started for me. It wasn't just an overnight thought, "I'm gonna homeschool my kids!" It started as my mind was being renewed in all things. I knew I didn't want what the world has to offer for my children. I knew Colten was at a point where alot of ungodly behavior starts for most through peer pressure. I wanted better for my boys. Nay, I want the best.

My mindset at this time was "I would like to homeschool, but I can't until I am married. I need to stay home with the boys & have a husband to provide for us." Of course, God had other plans for me. He answered prayer with the Faughts. What a blessing they have been to us. I transferred Riley from Fox school to Velma & Lindsay started picking him up from his half a day of school.

God laid out our homeschool plan. After much prayer & planning, I removed the boys from public school. Colt started his 7th grade year & Riley started with kindergarten. I was working full time. The boys stayed with the Faughts. Janice, Lindsay, & Reagan laid their lives down for us. We did school after work.

You can't imagine the onslaught of criticism for this decision. My family & friends were in an uproar. Some were indignant, some were quiet about it, but most were not. I was cussed & I was shunned. I was pitied or I guess the boys were pitied. Even acquaintances raised a skeptical eyebrow toward me. It was one of the hardest trials I have endured, but also one of the biggest producers of faith. A question I had to answer was "If everyone you hold dear turns from you, will you still follow Me?" I cried alot & prayed alot through this time. Most people have accepted that homeschooling is a path we won't depart from & save their criticisms for behind my back. I used to hear others talk about my boys' education with "knowing" glances towards one another. I still do actually, but I'm at peace. I used to feel such a strong need to defend my decision to every single thought or criticism anybody had about it. Now, I know, some will never understand, but I'll leave my defending & their understanding to God.

Although the negative views were harsh, I can't begin to tell you the benefit of encouragement from those who had already walked through this. I was told, "They may not see it today, but one day they will say 'Julinda's boys are different'. They will be different. All your efforts towards your children will be rewarded."

My next thought in this process, "How can I homeschool & not work full time?" God again showed me a different path. There was a plan laid out over the next year to quit my job. I paid off all my debt & completely pared down our living expenses to the bare essentials. (No more TV was a BIG adjustment for us, but that's a whole other story.) Every major hurdle for me has been met with alot of heat. Quitting my job was no different. I have learned, if there is a great amount of opposition that comes against my decision, it's most likely the right one.

God has been faithful for our provision, even without a husband. Every need has been met. My patience & faith have been strengthened. God's timing is not the same as mine. Are things laid out for us on a silver platter at our whim? Of course not, but I have learned not to worry. He will provide, usually in a way I don't expect.

God's next lesson for me, "I can't work part-time & have my children with me." He shattered this thought with Bodie & Megan. Bodie needed help & being a wonderful example of what homeschooling produces, he welcomed my children during worktime! What a wonderful blessing...a likeminded boss & coworker.

Homeschooling, of course, is not for everyone. Nor, should it be entered lightly. It allows for great flexibility, but you have to be completely devoted to your children. 24/7 with my children sounds like a nightmare to some. I hear mothers already dreading summer vacation. This is a blessing. I am glad my eyes have been opened to the value of it. It is not only for the great benefit of my children. God uses homeschooling to help produce what He wants in ME.

If I have learned anything, it's that all things are possible with God. Maybe a bit cliche to some, but it's truth to those who live it. God has taken my small-minded "I can't" or "Not me" & blown all my preconceived restrictions out of the water. I pray that I will meet His "impossiblities" with "Show me the way, Lord."

For my brother...

Everybody needs an Uncle Stevie...

Uncle Stevie never wears shirts with sleeves.
In being the ultimate gamer, he believes.
He passes on video games when he is through.
He even regularly buys & gives them brand new.
Uncle Stevie likes weapons, guns are his preferred.
Each nephew gets a gun or two, maybe even a third.
He will tell the boys tales, "I learned this in the army."
It's true he never served, they know he's being smarmy.
Uncle Stevie loves to find a sale, quite the bargain shopper.
His visits are usually gift giving, always a show stopper.
He is really not very fond of getting his picture taken.
So you'll know, he reminds me of a burger with some bacon.
Very truly, the boys love their uncle dearly
because his frequent visits bring on recess cheerily.
It's true he'd never ever let my kids feel needy
but if I could change it, I would have the Uncle Stevie.


Update:

My brother is now calling me "French Fry". He took me & the boys to lunch today. So, CHA-CHING, my insanely awesome poetry is already paying off!

Riley's Version

I wanted to post a picture of Riley's prize. If you look closely, you will see that it's candy & a YooHoo. You can see Colt's prize here: Colt's Version

Update:

Reaping...

Picture Charade #11

Ok...show me whacha got...

Television...1 word.

It's Time

My feet are free

Toes painted

Warm sand

Cool water

The sound of a flip

or was that a flop?