Yuck-o. I love eating Subway, but I haaaate the way I smell after leaving the place. WHY??/ WHY does it make you smell like an old meatball sub???

I had so much to "blob" about (as Linda would say) but it has quickly vanished from my head.

I'm so sad to have to say goodbye to my gray slippers. As you can see, they are past their prime, indeed. I have already spotted a pair that is moving to the top of my wish list. Bath and Body Works sells them and they look comfy cozy. I tried to find a pic of them online, but alas, failure met me.

Rebekah should be up shortly to help me finish off making four loaves of "Holiday Cheese Braid." It is a d-lishcream cheese pastry that will no doubt be served at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Pictures to follow.

El and I hit Target up last night and found some half off goodness that i quickly claimed as my own and gave it a temporary home in my cabinet. It will soon take up residence in ma belly!! Kit Kats, Butterfingers, and Snickers comin' right up.

Ben has worked for 6 (working) days straight at UPS. I swanny, I don't hear a peep out of him at 4:30am when he gets up to go. I am floored at Ben's willingness to get up in the middle of the night and go in and unload numerous tractor trailors of boxes to provide for his family. I admire him for his dedication to providing for us and to keeping me out of the outside-the-home work environment to stay home with Oscar. Ben, I love you. Thank you.

Ben and I are going to Gray tonight to hit up DirectBuy. I don't even know what to expect. Do you know anything about this place? I just know Glenn Beck endorses it. :) And speaking of Glenn Beck: He put out a classic picture/kid version of The Christmas Sweater. It is on it's pretty little way to our house even now. Please go buy one for everyone you know.

• Is there anything more awkward in this whole world than standing in line at the store and the people in front of you are carrying on a lengthy conversation with the people BEHIND you??? Now, you may suggest that I just let the people in front of me...but they weren't actually waiting in line. They were just stopped to talk. I mean, c'mon...I can only act interested in the Enquirer for so long, people!
• Did I mention we bought a townhouse. Well, technically, it's a condo, but "townhouse" has a much nicer sound to it. :) Here are pics. I was really skeptical at first and dreading the major move...but I'm starting to like the little booger now.

• I took a walk down memory lane a couple days ago. Well, it was more of a drive than a walk...and it was more like Highway 19 than memory lane. I drove that way a LOT when I worked in Lebanon and the scenery on that highway drove me to humility at what God has done. He truly is an awesome God and yet cares about me. During my days working over in Lebanon, that drive was nothing less than a precious gift from God. It took me 30 minutes to get to work and it was a beautiful time of fellowship with Him. Ok, I'll admit it wasn't always beautiful. You see, it was also during that time that I was going through the most severe testing I've ever experienced. I am reminded very clearly every time I head over that way how faithful and trustworthy God is and how perfectly He uses those trying times (if we let Him) to bring forth GOLD. I would not trade those days for anything in the world. Though hard, I will always look back fondly at those days.

• I will not, however, look back fondly at THAT day this week that I drove over that way. Coming around one of the millions of curves on that road, my car died. Out of gas. Ha. Never done that before. It's nice to know that I can stop traffic, though. hahaha
• I have been "winterizing" our home here on Siesta. Trimming shrubs, pulling up summer annuals, planting fall/winter annuals, bringing in some plants. Let me tell you, she's really shapin' up! I'll have to take some pictures when I'm all done. I LOVE having the outside of the house all cleaned up. I do it every spring and every fall. Last year, I did it a little later than spring and had Rebekah help. I told her I was just trying to get the outside cleaned up before Baby Boy got here, but little did she know she was actually just helping me prepare for her suprise birthday party. :)
• Sunday night is Parent's Night in Awanas and we have a super-duper counsel time planned. I can't wait. Will post pictures next week.

Sunshine early in the morning can put anybody in a good mood. :) Add a cup of coffee and burning candle and fall day and you've got yourself a real dandy! :) (I promise, I'm in my twenties, contrary to what the usage of "dandy" would imply.)

Let me just recap since last time I wrote.

Made white chili for the first time and it was ah-mazing! I'm so glad I've joined the league of women that can actually make that stuff. It's the perfect fall/winter meal. Hopefully, though, the garlic will begin to wear off of my fingers soon. yucko.

Planned a great-sounding counsel time for awanas in which I would host a 20/20; dateline-ish interview with King Darius, Daniel, and Lion about the days described in Daniel 6. I was to be the host and interviewer, Glenna Beckner. Haha. I always love throwing in little familiararities like that in my skits. I did one years ago when Bush was running for his second term and put a "W" on a blue "ribbon" for the winners of a fake game I used. Of course, I said "W" stood for "Winner" - which it did, both in the case of Counsel Time and in the real world. It was mainly for Alan Sharrett's benefit, who tirelessly razzed me about George W during the campaign. Ha Ha.

Been watching King of Queens, too. You can buy the entire season for like 10 or 15 bucks. When you don't have cable and nothing worth watching is on the 3 or 4 channels you get with rabbit ears, this is a classy alternative. I looooooove Kevin James and Ben and I relate to this show. HILarious. One night Rebekah came up to watch it with us and we made hot chocolate using my beautiful Keurig single-cupper. LOVE this thing. Ben's family (Beth, Randy, Alan, & Trenaria) bought it for me for my birthday this year. Oh. My. Word. I was sooo suprised. And have become an avid hot chocolate/coffee drinker since. I was so excited to use it the first time that I woke up at 6:30 the next morning - up and at 'em, ready for my first cup of coffee! Ha! Anyway...there is nothing more beautiful than a cup o' hot chocolate with whhhhip cream on top. mmmmm!

Last week was Crazy Night at Awanas. Me and Ben did not go all out. Just slapped on wigs. Oscar was scared to death of Ben for a while. Who wouldn't be, right? Anyways. I think he's got his Momma's hair, don't you? ;) Not happy about it, either.

We went looking with our realtor at a TON of houses yesterday and came away loving two. One was a house on Cherry Lane and the other a brand-spankin' new townhouse. Problem with the townhouse is that there is no place whatsoever for Ben to park or keep his equipment. So unless we can figure out something for that, its Cherry Lane for us! This house is beautiful on the inside. We're heading back over there tonight to show our parents and get their wise counsel. I couldn't go to sleep last night just thinkin' about it, though! The kitchen is AMAZING. beautiful hard wood floors, cherry cabinets (and LOTS of them) black granite countertops, stainless steel appliances...it was pretty much love at first site for me. If that wasn't enough, mosey on into the bathroom and find a jet tub. I'm tellin' ya...the hallelujah chorus was playing in the background at that one. The covered back deck is nice, too...and a garden...It's like the mothership is calling us home!

Ben got me a GPS for my birthday and it came in yesterday! I LOOOVE it. We used it to go to Mom and Dads and I called them to let them know what time we would arrive. ha. I can't wait to get more use out of this thing! Hooray!

Oh my word, Oscar's been asleep for almost 30 minutes and I haven't even started my grocery list. Get thee behind me, xanga. Grocery list, here I come.