Four For Friday...Daytime TV Edition

Due to some medical issues, work and driving have been taken away from me for a while. Therefore, my days are spent stuck at home. While I have been trying to get some much needed things done, somehow my eyes have been drawn to daytime television shows. Here are the four that have drawn me in:

1. Rachel Ray. Last nights dinner was even inspired by this lovely lady. Her guests have been great! What I like about it is that it is not an emotional talk show with lots of crying and conflict. Its light hearted bringing awareness to the things going on around us. And you get to learn how to make a tasty treat, or something close to it.

2. Family Fued. You can't go wrong. Its classic. While you sit back and make fun of the answers family members give deep down you know that you didn't have one that was any better. Steve Harvey is the new host. His work gets two thumbs up from this Ebert. Not that my thumbs actually matter.

3. The Talk. The show is similar to The View. Which at first turned me off to them. Who wants to sit at home and listen to a bunch of grown women fight over things that they can't control. Vote me out. The Talk is not political. They are all so different, but can agree to disagree without it becoming a knock down drag out first. They discuss topics that any normal person could be in on. Like the top baby names for 2010.

4. Last but not least...Ellen. It has been the first half of the Twelve Days of Giveaways. This throws the show off a little bit cause you can feel the anticipation of when the giveaways are coming, but it is entertaining none the less. She does things that other daytime talk shows would never dream of doing. Its a delight to end my afternoon of being lazy!

Four For Friday...Highlights Edition

It has been a while. Glad to be back. People were reading, and writing was enjoyable but still blogging was put to the side. More explaination to come. Either way, its nice to know that my randomness was missed.

Today's Four For Friday will be the four highlights of my day today. It turned out to be a pretty wonderful day. Here is why:

1. A surprise visitor at work! Emily Snyder suddenly pops around the corner in my office today. It was quite a shocker. Didn't see it coming. But there she was! For those of you that don't know, Emily was a close friend/roommate in college. She has seen me at my best and worse, and been an amazing friend through it all. She also held the same position as me at work once upon a time. Any time spent with Em is a good time, so it was certianly highlight number one. Also, her visit lead to lots of laughter at my dad later in the day. This is how the conversation went:

Me: Guess who came to see me at work today?

Dad: Who?

Me: Emily Hamlin

Dad: Who?

Me: EMILY HAMLIN

Dad: A young gentleman?

Oh dad...

2. Emily Dunston. That's right, lots of Emily's in my life today. Ran into this lovely lady in the grill. She is normally student teaching, so seeing her has been few and far between lately. Simply put, we just had fun. Love that girl.

3. This girl got a job. My position at work was cut from full-time to part-time. Which no normal person my age could ever afford. That put me on the job hunt which is never fun. God is a provider for sure, because it was all in wonderful time. It is difficult for sure, because I am doing what I love to do. God has put activities ministry on my heart for a long long time in some way. In no way do I want to leave, but its looking like I am going to have to.

4. While writing this post, four great cd's have entered the playlist of Ebert Brown. You can't get much better than adding some new tunes at the end of your day. Here is what I have been jammin to:

Glee: Volume 2

Glee: Volume 3

Brandon Heath: What If We

The Afters: Light Up The Sky

Its been a great day. I promise that all of my post from here on out won't be this boring, but I figured this would be a great way to get back into the swing of things. See ya soon!

Monday's Meet...

Monday's Meet....Joanna.

Some would describe her as a tree hugger. Passionate is the word I choose. Its true that she is all about trying to save the planet, but she is the least annoying tree hugger I've ever met. Talking about it, and doing it are two very different things. She lives what she speaks! In fact, she has been very informative. My lifestyle has changed some because of knowing her. Outside of her passion for science, her personality is fun. You never have to wonder what Joanna is feeling. You can see it all over her face. If she is having a good day, she will be the most bubbly person you could imagine. If she is having a bad day, you will be able to tell within ten seconds. Joanna is a hard worker. We have worked together on and off for a couple of years, and I have yet to see her be lazy. She is committed to her work no matter what it is. She is a helper. Constatnly checking to see if the people around her need anything. She serves gladly. Gerbra daisies are her favorite flower, hince the name of her cat. She knows Friends backwards and fowards. She eats vegtables like its her job. She doesn't eat meat. From Joanna I have learn that you can be passionate about something without being over the top. Also to recycle, reduce, and reuse.

Four For Friday!

1. Checkout: When you're making your way to the checkout lanes, does the person working the cash register have any impact on your decision of which lane you choose?

• Oh WalMart. Especially Campbellsville WalMart. Most places the worker would not have an effect on my choice of lanes. Its a different story at WalMart. There is a certain cashier that is habitually cranky. No matter how hard one may try, she just will not be happy. There is no such thing as cracking a smile to this woman. Therefore, my choice is to stop trying. Six years is long enough. However, being in such a small town, several of the workers are friends. Even though their jobs are tough, it is my mission to brighten their days if even a little when the opportunity arises.

2. Sandwiches: Do you prefer yours cut in half or served whole? What about hamburgers or chicken sandwiches?

• Sandwiches, half. Hamburgers, whole. Chicken sandwiches, half. My sandwich habits are weird. Who knew!

3. Facebook: As of this week, 500 million people were actively using Facebook to "stay connected with their friends and the people around them." How has Facebook changed or impacted your life?

• To say that Facebook has changed my life makes me laugh a little. But really, it has. If it weren't for Facebook there are people that I talk to now that I would not have kept in touch with without it. For someone that is super bad at keeping in touch, Facebook has allowed me to be a better friend to those that I don't see everyday. In fact, someone that is very important in my life used the outlet of Facebook to help me realize how truly bad my keeping in touch skills really are. Since then it has become routine for me to comment, post, like or message to friends that I sincerely care about. This generation wants to feel a sense of community and connectedness, and that is why we have social networking sites like we do. Personally, nothing thrills me more than knowing something has brought me back together with those that I care about.

4. Tweet: If you could send President Obama a Twitter message that's guaranteed to be personally read and responded to, what would send him (remember, tweets need to be 140 characters or less)?

• "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Wanna see change?

Send me questions to answer next Friday!

Wednesday & Thursday

Sorry about my tardiness. Yesterday was the day of the cast removal, which of course means that there was time for walking and not posting. Today, I will catch up by bringing to you, "I want Wednesday" and "Thursday's Letters I'll Never Send." Enjoy!

I want Wednesday.

This very well may be the most selfish Wednesday that you hear from me. But hey, that's why its I WANT Wednesday and not here is a list of things that I need Wednesday. Its okay to dream. The computer that these posts come to you is a desktop that was purchased in 2003 right before college. Its not in bad condition, but its not great either. It works. The Internet connection has been kinda ridiculous. There is no such thing as using Internet Explorer or FireFox, my only browser that will work is an old school version of MSN which was used faithfully in its infancy. Its inconvenient, and annoying. So it all comes down to this. I want a laptop. While I do have some preferences on which one, it is very expensive. It is no secret that that kind of money doesn't exist in my world. So any brand would do.

On this Wednesday I would also like to wish my sister-in-law a happy birthday! She told me just the other day that she has enjoyed reading my blog, so I have been waiting on pins and needles to use this as an outlet to wish her a happy birthday. Then I didn't have anytime to post. Sorry Rachel. I guess its happy belated birthday now! :) Also, Happy Birthday Granddaddy. We miss you. A lot!

Thursday's Letters I'll Never Send

Dear Old Friend,
Best wishes. Really, I wish you the best. Despite everything my prayer is that you would have all the good that you deserve and take all of the bad with the courage I know you have. It is hard for me to understand why we grew apart the way we did, but it just happened that way. To this day, every time your name comes to mind a smile is reflected on my face. You were a very patient, loving, understanding, good friend to me. We had some rough times, no doubt, but my best wishes go back as far as I can remember knowing you. It is good to see from a distance that you seem successful, but I only hope you are happy. Next time our paths cross it would be nice to catch up. It was a small stab last time when you acted like you didn't see me there. I know you did. Its okay. Seeing you was nice in itself. Thanks for all the good times, and even the bad. Learning is part of getting older. From you the lesson was obvious; don't sweat the small stuff, it isn't worth loosing a friend over. Love you forever my sister in Christ!

Tuesday's Tip: Falling

If you have to fall, fall with grace. Be doing something interesting, fun, exciting or adventurous. Never fall down the steps looking for the janitor. Just saying, it doesn't lead to good things. This comes to you in honor of the big day. Tomorrow is the day. No more cast.

"Monday's Meet...."

It has occurred to me through my lack of consistency on the blog front, a theme for Monday's post has yet to arise. After much brainstorming, "Monday's Meet.." came to mind. For several months now I have considered writing a book (not necessarily for publication) called, "100 People I met In College." The five years that I spent getting a higher education taught me more about personalities, friendship, and myself than my area of study ever dreamed of doing. With that said, "Monday's Meet...." will begin my journey of compiling a tangible reminder of all the interesting individuals that have crossed my path.


To begin: Monday's Meet...Sarah.

While I am the definition of an extrovert, she is the complete opposite. Some would say its a wonder we are friends, while others question if we are sisters. Quiet, but quick-witted. Sarcastic, but sweet. Honest, but honestly lies. She is wonderful. There is no doubt that she is called to teach. One of the most important things she taught me is to teach myself. In the end, the only one responsible for what I think, is me. Not only that, but she is a lifelong learner as well, absorbing everything. Her heart breaks over injustice, but lacks mercy when it comes to stupidity. Someone once described her as childlike, but not childish. It fits. Her unpredictability makes being her friend an adventure in itself. Her love for Christ is contagous and inspiring. So is her love for her family, blood and otherwise. It doesn't take long to see that she is willing to give of herself for others. She has given so much for me. One day children will be lucky to call her mom. She looks forward to it everyday. If she was meant to live in a different time period it would be the 40's, as she lives to be classy. Her usage of big words points to her hobby of reading. As time passes, she never ceases to surprise me. Her perspective usually puts mine to the test. She is my accountablity, teacher, inspiration, and most importantly, my best friend.

For those of you that don't know, it has been three months, four days, and approximately two hours since I have walked on my own two feet. People I see in the store say, "You are on crutches, again?" AGAIN?!?! No. A simple moment of clumsiness seems to be dragging on forever. My summer has been hardly enjoyable because it takes so much energy to get in and out of the house on a normal day, much less for anything else. Also in this time, I have moved and gotten a dog. Exciting and fun transitions, but certainly difficult ones with an injury such as mine.

I say all of this though to announce the genuine excitement that it will be over four short days from now. In for days Dr. Norman will take this cast off for good. If it seems that she plans to do anything else, she will see nothing but my back WALKING out the door. Tomorrow starts my three favorite days of the week, so they will go by fast. Sunday morning I will crutch into church with confidence knowing it is the last time I will have to do so. Monday hanging out with my roommates we will be able to actually look forward to the next time we get to do this. Finally Tuesday, my Bible Study group will be able to take comfort in the fact that next week, I can get up and get myself something to drink. These moments will not pass with grief, but joy. The time is coming so soon!

Disclaimer: My friends and church family have been wonderful through this. Literally, I would not have been able to do anything without them . It would have been miserable instead of just an annoyance. Moving would have certainly not even been possible. They are wonderful, and I am more thankful for them than you can ever imagine.

You have to understand the excitement over my impending independence.

Four For Friday...Breakfast Edition

The theme for today's questions: Breakfast!

1. Oh my goodness! You have to run out the door right now and you haven’t eaten! Before dashing out, what do you grab to wolf down on your way?

• Either a poptart or a granola bar. If it were the poptart chances are it would be strawberry with the icing on top. The one's without it are just so dry. If it were the granola bar it would certianly be oat's and honey. There's nothing like sweet and crunchy.
  

2. What’s a popular breakfast you dislike?

• My parents have two main Saturday morning breakfast menus. Many of you that have spent the night as youngsters know its either pancakes or waffles. Did you know that people actually put peanut butter on them??? No way! I think its gross.

3. You’re going out for breakfast anywhere you want, and someone else is treating! Where do you go and what do you order?

• Cracker Barrel. Sunrise Sampler. Eggs well done. Biscuits with gravy. Bacon. Hashbrowns to replace the nasty grits. A milk to drink with a coffee on the side.
  

4. You’ve been invited to a breakfast potluck. What are you most likely to bring?

• The occassion has yet to rise for this. But I suppose, time permiting, I would bring pancakes. My parents taught me how to make the best, and it would be nice for me to share that with the rest of the world.
  

For next weeks Four For Friday...let me answer your questions. Ask away, and I promise an honest answer.

Thursday's Letters I'll Never Send

Dear Prayer Warrior,

It was nice to meet you. To say that thoughts of crossing paths again haven't entered my own mind would be to tell a lie. My parents taught me not to lie. There are close friends that have not prayed for me the way you did that day. Such sincerity came in the words of a mere acquaintance. In a world of rush, this simple act was met with much surprise. As odd as it may seem, brother in Christ, you mean so much to me. My heart was troubled with many unknowns before this encounter. The unknowns are still not known, but at peace they lay still. For thirty minutes it was not hard to see fruit in your life. Thanks for the encouragement.

Until we meet again,

Ebert

I want....Wednesday

Today I want the Spirit to help me seek out intimancy with the Father.

The book "Forgoten God" by Francis Chan, has really matured my thinking and understanding of the Holy Spirit. Throughout the whole book, the author has pointed out charistics of the Spirit that aren't necessarly always thought or talked about. So far my two favorites have been the role of the Comforter, and the role of Interceeder. In a time of my life when things are so uncertian, it is hard to always know how to seek intimancy with the Father. This is where the Spirit steps in like the herion He is.

Spirit, step in.