tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19147523722585935722024-02-19T04:24:21.142-05:00mollie writes her wayEverything that happens in your life, the good, the bad, and the ugly, can be documented and turned into a lesson for yourself and others. If one were to take all of their stories and write them down, one would have a rich history to pass down for generations to come. I will try to write my way through time, my lifetime. It is hit and miss but I hope that when it is all written, that at least one person can learn from the mistakes I have made. Even if it is just me. Write on!!mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-9422893956663526292011-10-25T14:13:00.000-05:002011-10-25T15:24:45.347-05:00Holiday Cards for Heroes(For some reason, I am having Trouble with blogger. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to write and post this several times. I have no idea what the deal is.. So, here we go again.)<br />
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I have seen several blogs mention making cards for the elderly in nursing homes, sick kids or families and for those serving abroad. So I googled cards for the military. I found out that the Red Cross has a program that collects and distributes mail to those that may not be able to otherwise be reached. (Hopefully my link works, but if it doesn't, just go to the Red Cross site and look under the Make a Difference tab.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.redcross.org/holidaymail">http://www.redcross.org/holidaymail</a><br />
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Instead of cards, I will be making postcards. I can't wait to get started! Hopefully, I can bring a little bit of 'home' to a soldier serving on foreign soil.<br />
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<br />I found another site, <a href="http://www.give2thetroops.org/">http://www.give2thetroops.org/</a> that sends care packages to the troops. I have to admit that seeing the things these brave souls miss brought tears to my eyes. I never thought about sending them DVD's or CD's before, but sure, they need entertainment, too! If you use the Programs tab, you will see that there are several opportunities to donate. They have specific deadlines for specific holidays.<br />
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♥mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-5494277340654975582011-10-06T22:19:00.002-05:002011-10-25T14:18:10.387-05:00Wow. I've been gone a long time!I just realized that I haven't been blogging. Oops. I do write in my journal as often as I can, so at least I am putting my thoughts down somewhere. <br />
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I'd like to say that a lot has happened since I last saw you.. But, in so many ways, things are still the same. Sigh.<br />
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My current '<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dilemma</span>' happens to be my oldest step-son. He is eleven and in the sixth grade. I thought he was doing pretty well, but it turns out that he isn't, he just wasn't giving me all the information I needed. Until today. I had a little chat with his homeroom teacher and she showed me his grades so far. The first few were encouraging: An A, B- and C+ that was 'almost a B!'. Then we got to the reading and math grades. D- and F. What?!! I was shocked! He has never brought home grades like that! He is, for the most part, an A student. Sure, there are a few Bs thrown in there from time to time, but like I said, mostly As. These two letters threw me for a loop. She showed me the break-down of the last few weeks. Both subjects have two things in common for my son: He doesn't turn the homework in. Yep. That would do it. We had this same problem last year, but I truly thought we were past this. The real bummer, for him anyway, is that we had fun plans for Saturday and now he doesn't get to participate. He will be there, on site, but will not be able to partake in any of the fun. It sure seems like a pattern with my boys. We make plans that gets them really pumped up. Then, like clockwork, they do (or don't do) something that interferes and at least one of us has to rearrange our lives because they get into trouble and can't go. Well, my husband and I both decided that this time, we are not just staying home because he failed to turn in his assignments. He is going with us, but he will be sitting on the sidelines while he watches his brothers have fun. He will be doing math work while they are laughing and playing. Unfortunately, since he obviously didn't learn from last year.<br />
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Author's note, 10/25/11: Aaron is doing better in Math. He shows signs of 'wanting' to succeed in Reading, however, he is so far behind with his logs, I'm not sure what his end grade will be. I continue to be frustrated with his lack of motivation and organization. Time will tell if he has learned anything or if he will be <em>grounded for the rest of his life</em>.mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-39671674479956942372011-01-05T20:27:00.002-05:002011-01-05T20:33:46.426-05:00Colossians 3:20One of the devotions I read to the boys tonight was Colossians 3:20: "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." We had a pretty good discussion about what it means to obey, what everything really is and how it could please God. There was a little blurb about obeying pleasing the parent and God, but also that it does the child a huge favor. I asked them what they thought that meant. One of the things we talked about was maybe being able to play a video game if he cleaned up when he was told to instead of whining and fighting about it for an hour then being denied an activity afterward. I saw the shine in their eyes while they processed that, as if I could hear them saying, you mean, if I just DO IT then we can get to the fun faster?? Well, YES! That is exactly what I have been telling you for months! It is all about how it is said. I don't know who said it first, but they were right: Presentation is everything!<br /><br />♥mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-13065925153413558152011-01-05T08:31:00.004-05:002011-01-05T08:41:26.915-05:00My Dog PennyMy dog makes me laugh. We bought her a dog bed. Do you think she uses it?? No. She doesn't. She finds any available shirt, blanket or random piece of material, works her magic and makes her own dog bed. Sometimes it frustrates me, like when the material she lays on is freshly laundered clothes. Ugh. I love my dog.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fqtf9oWeOKVyLVG3-UYwcZKp4DwZfMceOFNnQI8rcNJgeP7yXs1463QqyAdpuNMuKkZDsc4Au2rHByWs2bDatHKQ95csSH_cZjCLrpQZBmD7kYwEpd0Ng9ExkqYgsVfXVejFh3zKKzw/s1600/055.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fqtf9oWeOKVyLVG3-UYwcZKp4DwZfMceOFNnQI8rcNJgeP7yXs1463QqyAdpuNMuKkZDsc4Au2rHByWs2bDatHKQ95csSH_cZjCLrpQZBmD7kYwEpd0Ng9ExkqYgsVfXVejFh3zKKzw/s320/055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558694984753315490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />For Halloween, Penny was a Fairy Princess. On the way to town to Trick-or-Treat, I noticed this red feather boa I had in the van. I put it on her. Doesn't it make her look like a lion or something?? She cracks me up.<br /><br />Whenever I get the camera out to take her picture, she spazzes out! She thinks the red-eye reduction light is a toy! She will paw at the ground for it, lick the air, nip at my hand to get the camera. We may have used the laser pointer one too many times, I think! She just loves it though. She goes crazy, running this way and that, up the hall and back. Oh, it is so funny. That is how she is now with the camera.<br /><br />Paul likes to buy her sweaters. It is so cute and funny to have my six foot tall, muscled man buy this little dog sweaters. I don't think she likes them much, other than the warmth they provide. Without a sweater on, she just shivers and shakes. It's like a mini earthquake coursing through her body. It is funny and disturbing at the same time.<br /><br />♥mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-38224656499951487512011-01-04T08:07:00.002-05:002011-01-04T08:23:39.369-05:00The Book of DanielWhenever I see or hear the name Daniel, I automatically start singing Elton John. I don't know why that is, but I just picked my new Bible study guide up and went into "Daniel my brother..". Sorry God. I hope you understand.<br /><br />~<br /><br />When I first starting attending the Chapel's women's ministry Bible studies, I never thought I would be a facilitator. Never in a million years did I think I would get up in front of a group and pretend to think that I knew anything there was to know about the Bible or what God has to say about how we live our lives. I still call myself a Baby Christian and I have been a true, self-confessed, holding Jesus in my heart girl for at the last four years.<br /><br />I do love to make people laugh, though. It helps to break the ice when a new member is introduced to the group or if something awkward comes up in discussion. I tend to see myself as comic relief in those times. Hopefully, I am not being inappropriate. I also hope that God sees my true motives and that He is pleased with me.<br /><br />I was first asked to lead a study during the Fall session. We had a book listed as available but without a leader listed, no one knew that it was a real class they could sign up for. I had been looking at the posting, Googling the book title, pondering, praying, thinking that maybe I could lead this one. It wasn't too long after that that I was asked to lead. I was still very unsure of myself, but agreed to put in some quality prayer time with the Lord to determine if this was something He wanted me to do or not. I guess He did because I ended up leading the Beth Moore study of David to a group of eight women.<br /><br />For this Baby Christian, that was the right size! I became close to all of those women. I call all of them friends, something I might not have been able to do if I hadn't decided to let God lead me there.<br /><br />When the Winter study options came out, I knew immediately that I wanted to do the Daniel study by Beth Moore. I signed up and paid for my book, carrying it proudly through the halls of the church. I went home and started reading through it. I sent a prayer heaven-ward telling Him that if He was willing, so was I, and to just have one of the ladies in charge ask me to lead. She called the next morning.<br /><br />Study starts on the 11th. I hope that I am prepared for this one because the class size will most likely be in the teens and up. That makes me quiver a little inside, but I know that if God wants me have that many, that is exactly how many I should have, no matter how many quivers I have. That is Him working in me, right??<br /><br />♥mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-2524766250125574292011-01-02T00:12:00.003-05:002011-01-02T00:14:30.596-05:00Time Check!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I know what time it is - 12:12 - but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get my blog to post the actual time of my posts... without saying that I live in Toronto or something. Baarrgghhh! Okay. That was not a word. I will have to get over that. Eventually.<br /></span>mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-29722993778036616692011-01-01T23:54:00.000-05:002011-01-02T00:01:43.266-05:00kids and their .. "sick"and their moms who have to pull a late-nighter to wash the bedding...<br /><br />Sigh.<br /><br />Here I sit, at 11:55 p.m. I thought I was ready for bed. I walked through the house, turning the lights off, let the dog out and back in, and see that Aaron's bedding is in the tub because he threw up all over it. The washing machine was full of other dirty laundry, so rather than put the "sick" on the floor, it was put in the tub. Let me reassure you, I would rather have it that way. Unless it is 8:55 a.m. on a Sunday morning and I am trying to dash in and out of the shower to leave the house at 9:10 to make it to the 9:45 service... All I really want to do is throw the blanket and nasty pillows outside to deal with tomorrow sometime. But I can't do that because I have a pesky cat and a curious puppy that would find the bedding rather inviting. Eww. So. Here I sit, at 11:59 p.m., waiting on the washer to do its thing so I can rotate the newly washed laundry to the dryer and start another load of wash.<br /><br />Sigh.<br /><br />A mother's work is never done. Especially when their child gets sick while they sleep.<br /><br />Sigh.<br /><br />**<br /><br />This is my rather rude return to blogging. If I have any readers at this point, please accept my sincere, heart-felt apologies. Everyone else is in bed or I would vent to them.<br /><br />♥mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-74029713248633466042009-08-03T16:33:00.000-05:002009-08-03T16:35:33.484-05:00Garlic Basil Chicken<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EUKg41PeZsbc_uRM9YS9NeLrCix_JU3qvyYlwjs4GdXM3gzcF0JF5oAX-fBI7BHsEfj37dVvihIaVICDmbreh0U8cyAZV8mxdQ4nT8LMkwQJJ7HgElEy6RIJmqFVckiUnGly8TuwUvI/s1600-h/garlicbasilchix.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365854020425854178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 175px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 175px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EUKg41PeZsbc_uRM9YS9NeLrCix_JU3qvyYlwjs4GdXM3gzcF0JF5oAX-fBI7BHsEfj37dVvihIaVICDmbreh0U8cyAZV8mxdQ4nT8LMkwQJJ7HgElEy6RIJmqFVckiUnGly8TuwUvI/s320/garlicbasilchix.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p>Garlic Basil Chicken from Homemade Gourmet®. It's what my family is having for dinner. What are you having?</p><p> </p><p>Contact me if you are interested in learning more about Homemade Gourmet® where it is our mission to bring families back to the dinner table. Visit <a href="http://www.homemadegourmet.com/molliedirig">www.homemadegourmet.com/molliedirig</a> to see what we can do for you!</p><p> </p><p>♥</p>mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-62412761518313270622009-05-29T12:24:00.001-05:002009-05-29T12:26:38.360-05:00School's Out for SummerNow that I have you all singing that song... HA!<br /><br />Yesterday was my boys' last day of school. I have mixed emotions about this summer. For one thing, I am grateful that I am able to stay at home with them and spend some time figuring out who they really are.. On the other hand though, I haven't the slightest idea of what we will do until August. <br /><br />If anyone has any ideas, I will definately try them out! Cheap or free is best!! :)mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-44695478624267804802009-05-22T12:22:00.000-05:002009-05-22T12:46:58.451-05:00FFF- Say Hello to my little friend... Ethan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtf12x94NCMU5mEBYIlLiYDy5OKQ-MlF-TIIL9XT_sWDxCaLdpZYvWBcA-bE3vvlPgl-JJLHUwfO6XL03xITXegFSy53mv3x7bPdlvK2hLVHVXUeDd_sBCiImJGXEO93LmHTuO_QHqGk/s1600-h/145.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338701514531693698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtf12x94NCMU5mEBYIlLiYDy5OKQ-MlF-TIIL9XT_sWDxCaLdpZYvWBcA-bE3vvlPgl-JJLHUwfO6XL03xITXegFSy53mv3x7bPdlvK2hLVHVXUeDd_sBCiImJGXEO93LmHTuO_QHqGk/s320/145.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw17KtvOURZOYMlJDj7hQLgZ5imdpu8LkTHG_5VCAZBoEzQQiTqbCPExdlDI2zwOMA70KDRqPxS7K4V3lA7685ZAL6YNQNTKMFZDYZyhGZMX8SYGs4ROlKmHknJO2F3HhKAM-brssRjwo/s1600-h/135.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338701508989542690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw17KtvOURZOYMlJDj7hQLgZ5imdpu8LkTHG_5VCAZBoEzQQiTqbCPExdlDI2zwOMA70KDRqPxS7K4V3lA7685ZAL6YNQNTKMFZDYZyhGZMX8SYGs4ROlKmHknJO2F3HhKAM-brssRjwo/s320/135.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKzEZqxW6HPF1x2SRnmFpubLG7Rr0oibnhCZrUcVpNHrcdioS4e3Bbnox6Qv_z3KK38zu9Fdn0vaGQGFCdHbDtNmsinUe3nlM8XBar4TtSziRHdSg1DX5dogNHX4PjbHk5RpwFcv18ao/s1600-h/076.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338701502076420786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKzEZqxW6HPF1x2SRnmFpubLG7Rr0oibnhCZrUcVpNHrcdioS4e3Bbnox6Qv_z3KK38zu9Fdn0vaGQGFCdHbDtNmsinUe3nlM8XBar4TtSziRHdSg1DX5dogNHX4PjbHk5RpwFcv18ao/s320/076.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKddXIY35oDlXa4V0MT0mZJIe8I0LPELjhEATD868-xBomu3E8GJssPXKWCjMGXhpM1t3y905y2GQuTR-7iBf7ZeJvGvPtz7_phHlgCvZP0OJCitVtyjOTfQN_ivAut1mOyQxvibnKSbk/s1600-h/109.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338701502641689842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKddXIY35oDlXa4V0MT0mZJIe8I0LPELjhEATD868-xBomu3E8GJssPXKWCjMGXhpM1t3y905y2GQuTR-7iBf7ZeJvGvPtz7_phHlgCvZP0OJCitVtyjOTfQN_ivAut1mOyQxvibnKSbk/s320/109.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw148Yo6zVjFxPFreyg_SmzHOmzhNKGShqFj3q-t8rnwqTZKUmhuaMri2Va9JePIa76QhSu2vGIrgyq66lmW4jnaeb3cjljeHwy7aX8e4qXzug6aSYpeLYhlw4bAFzseYsqOIJYdjL7UY/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338701493488448130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw148Yo6zVjFxPFreyg_SmzHOmzhNKGShqFj3q-t8rnwqTZKUmhuaMri2Va9JePIa76QhSu2vGIrgyq66lmW4jnaeb3cjljeHwy7aX8e4qXzug6aSYpeLYhlw4bAFzseYsqOIJYdjL7UY/s320/017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />If you don't know who Ethan is, let me introduce him. This little fellow, who turns next Thursday, belongs to a friend of mine. I met her (well, her and her husband) when I worked at 80/20, they both still work there. Sara works 9-5ish and Josh worked 10-6am. All was fine until November when 80/20 got rid of third shift, coincidentally, that is when I quit my job. Quite the timing, right?? Anyway. So Josh works second shift now, although they are continually changing his hours. Sigh. Working for "the man" is tough. </div><div> </div><div>So these pictures went in backwards order... Starting from the bottom and working back up: Ethan earlier this month, sound asleep on my bed. Next, Ethan playing in the dome tent I bought for $10 at a garage sale. Yay! Next, another cool find, the mail box has a bee on it that buzzes. In the next picture, I am holding him because he is SO tired and refuses to be put down. And finally, the end result. After much protesting, he finally passes out on his diaper bag.<br /></div><div>I love this boy. I think he loves me too.<br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-49373846404011324902009-05-22T12:07:00.000-05:002009-05-22T12:22:25.561-05:00Fave Foto Friday - Last Week's Blooper<div>I am a blooper, what can I say! I am late for everything, even my own blogging! Ugh!! <div><div><div><br />So here's the story (of a lovely lady?? No, Mols, shush up, I'm telling a story!! As I was saying...) about my blooper pictures. Yes, pictures. Because I can't just show you one. I got a call from the school nurse last week. She told me that Xander was playing around with his arms inside his sweatshirt - as I have seen lots of kids do - like he was wearing a straight jacket. Well, he got a little too carried away and ended up falling down with no way to stop himself. So he went face first into the floor. He told me he was sitting on a bench and hit concrete. How accurate this is, I will never really know. All I know is that she told me he fell, his mouth was bleeding, and his lip is pretty beat up. But his teeth were all there and fine, he looked a little worse for wear, but he was alright, all in all. Finally, I could breathe again. He is fine now, btw. I didn't take a "healed" picture, but he looks just like he did before the fall. But I think he will think twice before putting himself in a straight jacket again. Lol.</div><div><br /> </div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdzXchwvj5fq6waTVk5dSrmXtX5K-yqb3DV-U9gCSaJ34TSH7dTbBbm5oO-IHfnic9vjFcQNCvou75QLUJwL1-rRwQcwA-kxfdchNvD7JfcJedZamEtHJq2T1-uCQtznBZtH8Pjnznh4/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338698048923963186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 206px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdzXchwvj5fq6waTVk5dSrmXtX5K-yqb3DV-U9gCSaJ34TSH7dTbBbm5oO-IHfnic9vjFcQNCvou75QLUJwL1-rRwQcwA-kxfdchNvD7JfcJedZamEtHJq2T1-uCQtznBZtH8Pjnznh4/s320/028.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXCma93nXITrgkl2H5GZYE4_PK62ilOZsDUNUlL5iwB4SsQFFJrDXzek_FSdvPOGw5RSuytwYUBtOTtfKPC9LLK_UswK9_HV8oqnX02etkPigHVWJ3Kim1E0SsbS5wiJ3IqydN5GARoE/s1600-h/052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338698058862805378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 148px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 107px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXCma93nXITrgkl2H5GZYE4_PK62ilOZsDUNUlL5iwB4SsQFFJrDXzek_FSdvPOGw5RSuytwYUBtOTtfKPC9LLK_UswK9_HV8oqnX02etkPigHVWJ3Kim1E0SsbS5wiJ3IqydN5GARoE/s320/052.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgg_deSrtqPfHRBBENkuaZc7iTH-S6e8IEOK4GEa7WkXi6PinS2smrPjOg3NfBGs0xJITZ_qEfUFVoHN2X5hbmGH7xx22_odxJUrEPWIeBk6SNr5Mp0-TSUq4nxgOZLqllr-kxHzRzuM/s1600-h/050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338698049570060946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 154px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgg_deSrtqPfHRBBENkuaZc7iTH-S6e8IEOK4GEa7WkXi6PinS2smrPjOg3NfBGs0xJITZ_qEfUFVoHN2X5hbmGH7xx22_odxJUrEPWIeBk6SNr5Mp0-TSUq4nxgOZLqllr-kxHzRzuM/s320/050.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujHHM4JdkSn7kMhRnuQ-t3w7ZVB00e43saRfHnqy5qlqxcF6Khd7A8abEW_lozbrcgDRjdWM0Cwvdzvl4t9-0vYAnj6Hi1ya7JJFuXtzmXILzp6E0V07LDfoefyA0iYgV9BbrPv7edJ0/s1600-h/058.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338698063552842962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 158px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujHHM4JdkSn7kMhRnuQ-t3w7ZVB00e43saRfHnqy5qlqxcF6Khd7A8abEW_lozbrcgDRjdWM0Cwvdzvl4t9-0vYAnj6Hi1ya7JJFuXtzmXILzp6E0V07LDfoefyA0iYgV9BbrPv7edJ0/s320/058.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-isSE4To-CtAEEShf2h5xX9TG2yk7HYoXYQoNFypMc8F3o6DrPadtdYq2B6bQZbEonTG32nZveefX7Nw2Wwz65l-fINH9CDWSDlSj1xElpFwo6pzVvbVUBsiaBMLHex6pGK7GssqPvs/s1600-h/059.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338698067379270674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 147px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-isSE4To-CtAEEShf2h5xX9TG2yk7HYoXYQoNFypMc8F3o6DrPadtdYq2B6bQZbEonTG32nZveefX7Nw2Wwz65l-fINH9CDWSDlSj1xElpFwo6pzVvbVUBsiaBMLHex6pGK7GssqPvs/s320/059.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div>mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-90999173365054692472009-05-16T20:51:00.000-05:002009-05-16T21:07:45.976-05:00Catching up...So. I blew it. I gave up. I am finished. I am not dieting anymore.<br /><br />I have had it.<br /><br />No, it really wasn't like that at all. I was starting to see results, I really wanted to continue... But... It is so hard to do something when the rest of your family doesn't. I only have so much willpower. I know that God uses our weaknesses to make us stronger, which really just makes me feel worse about it, like now I have truly let God down too.<br /><br />...<br /><br />I just need to try to limit what I put in this mouth of mine. More good, less bad. Drink more water - yuck! Limit the Pepsi - oh how I love it! You get my drift, I'm sure. You all know my pain.<br /><br />~~<br /><br />I have started my new business. I am an independent consultant for Homemade Gourmet®. This is my personal website <a href="http://www.homemadegourmet.com/molliedirig">www.homemadegourmet.com/molliedirig</a>. This company is here to help bring friends and families back to the table. I am so excited about this new chapter in my life! I have my Cook Off this Tuesday. I can't wait to see where God leads me with this venture!<br /><br />~~<br /><br />We went to service tonight at the Chapel. Something my pastor, Rick Hawks, said didn't quite settle with me. As you may know, I am on medication for depression and anxiety. Mostly anxiety. He was talking about how God leads us through the storms of life, not over it, under it, around it, etc, but through it. How we as Christians (and non-Christians, too) sometimes think that we are shielded from the bad things because of our faith, that we are protected from them, when in fact God told us that we will have trials and tribulations. It is how we deal with them that should be the difference. "When I'm weak, You make me strong" as the lyrics and scripture go. He mentioned something about depression, how we are spiritually unwell... Even now as I try to type my thoughts, I am still unsettled. <br /><br />Am I doing this to myself? If I were in the Word more, talking to Him, singing to Him, living with and for and through Him, would I still be plagued with this madness that pummels through my brain? Is this a consequence of some ill or rash decision that I once made?<br /><br />I am unsure of myself now. I thought that I was doing alright. I don't like that I have to take a medication, but I am honest enough with myself to know that I am not perfect, that my reactions to my family, friends and life are not ideal. So I take a daily med.<br /><br />Does that make me weak? It shouldn't. But at the same time, yes, I feel weak. I feel inadequate. I feel as if I am not "right" on my own, that I need something or someone to help me be "right" or "normal".<br /><br />Sigh.<br /><br />Will you pray with me?<br /><br />Heaven help me. Father God, oh Abba! You know what I need. You know me, my thoughts, my going out and coming in even before I know it myself. I ask you tonight, O Lord, to show me the way You wish for me to go. Do I need this medicine? Is there another way for me to deal with this issue? What is Your will? I pray that I would hear Your message loud and clear and more than that, that I would implement whatever it is that You say. In Your Name I pray, amen.mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-59239262685448159402009-05-04T10:21:00.000-05:002009-05-04T10:36:01.237-05:00It's been a while..I almost forget how to blog. Oh wait, it is all coming back to me now. I just go on and on about whatever is wobbling in my head, right?? Lol.<br /><br />Seriously.<br /><br />I just got a call from my gyno. Yeah, we all like those calls, don't we... So I thought they were just telling me that my pap came back normal, cause I have had some issues with that before. Well, it was, but they wanted to tell me I needed a prescription for some bacterial blahblahblah. Great. If it isn't one thing, it's another. I shouldn't be suprised tho. I have always had blatter issues. I do not drink water. Not that I don't drink enough, I don't drink it. Period. I don't like the taste of water. It is so... tasteless. Ugh. No water means no pee which means bacterial infection. Yay. Sarcasm, anyone??<br /><br />I have been doing the South Beach diet for the past week. I am doing moderately well. During the day, I do fine. I eat my eggs for breakfast, have a sensible lunch and dinner... But I have night-time cravings. Last night, it was for the left-over nachos that the boys didn't eat. No, I didn't eat a whole bag of chips, but no, I am not supposed to be eating chips at all. The cheesy salsa was okay, not too many carbs, plus it has other things that slow down the digestion of the carbs. But add the chips to that... Oh no. Recipe for disaster??<br /><br />I went on the South Beach diet because of my trip to the gyno. I had gained 6 pounds in the last month. I'm not sure why, if it was the foods I eat combined with the lack of exercise, plus the new med I am on for my anxiety?? One or the other or all?? Either way, if the med is what made me gain the weight, then I will back off of the food, regulate what I eat, stay away from the snacky carboholic things and hope for the best. So far, I have lost 2 pounds. I'd say I am on the right track.<br /><br />I am really hungry for some fruit tho. Consolation prize: I can have some next week!! :)<br /><br />I am 40 pounds away from my goal. I know I can do it. I did it last year, but gave up, and then it all came back. Poo. This time, Gadget, I have you right where I want you!! <br /><br />I love the idea of South Beach. You eat protein (meat, eggs, peanut butter), dairy and veg for two weeks, for Phase 1. You lose crazy pounds. Then you go to Phase 2. Start reintroducing things back into your idea, one at a time. If you gain weight, you go back on Phase 1 (or simply stop eating whatever it was that made you gain.). Following Phase 2, obviously is Phase 3, where you will be for the rest of your life. You can eat what "normal" people can, obviously watching, being careful to not over-indulge. If you gain, you get back on Phase 1 until you get back to your target weight. It is so simple. I hope I am capable of following through. It would be so much easier if I could get the family on it too. But they all need to gain weight while I need to lose. <br /><br />Life is so not fair sometimes.mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-9288400925731252942009-04-13T20:57:00.000-05:002009-04-13T21:10:41.806-05:00Family GatheringsEaster weekend went by fast. Church with my brother and sister-in-law was great. I could tell that Zack was excited to be there, to see how another church does its thing. It was really nice to have them right next to Paul and I. We don't get to do that too often, so I am grateful that they could make the service. We went out to eat at Bandido's afterwards. I had to make a reservation for 14. Lol. I think the kid I spoke to was a little put-off, if that is the right term, that we had so many people right after a pretty popular church let out on a Saturday evening. Oh well. They made their money that night, let me reassure you!! :) <br /><br />The extended family got together yesterday. That was really fun. While the youngsters and my parents, aunts and uncles were outside with the egg hunt, Zack, Laura, Paul and myself were inside looking at old family photos. That was really great. I remember Zack saying he would have liked being outside with the kids, that he usually isn't into looking at pictures, but he was having fun anyway. There were some classic long-haired Dad ones, prom pictures, wedding pictures. Some of the cousins in various ages and hairstyles. Lots of pictures from up at Jellystone. <br /><br />Tonight we met at Mom and Dad's (and Grandma's, as she does live there too now, upstairs). Mom and I made spaghetti stretch to feed 13, which I thought was pretty remarkable really, as I am not talented in the culinary arts. I burnt the garlic bread a little bit. Paul got on me cuz I don't use a timer. Who needs a timer? We all have noses; we can smell when it is done, right??!!? Lol. I had a chance to really snuggle with my little Dima nephew. He is so tiny! I am used to my rough and tumble 6, 7, and 9 year olds. Dmitry is 4 but he seems so small. I am amazed at how little his fingers are. And his feet. He is just so cute. He kept asking me what my name was. I would tell him and have him repeat it. Adorable. He's a sweet kid. A little hyper (is that putting it lightly, Laura??) but sweet. I can see that there is a lot of good in him. He just needs to find a way to channel it. Meghan was a little under the weather, the poor girl. Amelia ran and played with my boys, especially Nathan, who befriended her right away at church on Saturday. <br /><br />Tomorrow we have plans to visit our Aunt Gayle at the nursing home.<br /><br />I hope this wasn't some run-on blabble fest. Just needed to put a voice to my randomness. More tomorrow, if I remember... :)mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-40706489910631239352009-04-10T09:09:00.000-05:002009-04-10T09:42:55.640-05:00Fave Foto Friday! My birthday week!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBAv1CvtqfrV8yuV_TPuYtWCoJ4elXcRM6aNjYjaP6a18NOv0LcKyF5-r5e7MzH0kv4O-7JtShyphenhyphennaddVc6b3NL6PVbzF_pzXdUr2FcqLL3__F-ZtcoBcNJtjxeyRcyA4sXWKc5P48I5Q/s1600-h/048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323066074317084834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBAv1CvtqfrV8yuV_TPuYtWCoJ4elXcRM6aNjYjaP6a18NOv0LcKyF5-r5e7MzH0kv4O-7JtShyphenhyphennaddVc6b3NL6PVbzF_pzXdUr2FcqLL3__F-ZtcoBcNJtjxeyRcyA4sXWKc5P48I5Q/s320/048.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div>My van!!!!! Happy birthday to me!!! Paul bought me my 2000 Toyota Sienna on Saturday, as an early birthday present. I was so STOKED! I came barrelling in the house, running (like I tell the kids not to do, but I was SO excited!!) for Paul, "Let's go for a drive! Let's go for a drive!". Poor guy. He had barely made it in the house before I pulled in the driveway. Then I drug him and the boys back out so I could drive my new (to me) mini-van. I have named her Minnie. Original, I know. :)</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXryaOHLJtkCr2WZdY0Sb4Oq_lBK-ouifBYb4C-TidmX0DeWO-PEWQHoUqTbxCgkRgR4MbLgiZQOTT3e_U9rUFygP9YeycnRQzx1WAUIaIJXfgaUZBOHNkySVkUCboQdMHbOP0tbWGKo/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323066067761221794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXryaOHLJtkCr2WZdY0Sb4Oq_lBK-ouifBYb4C-TidmX0DeWO-PEWQHoUqTbxCgkRgR4MbLgiZQOTT3e_U9rUFygP9YeycnRQzx1WAUIaIJXfgaUZBOHNkySVkUCboQdMHbOP0tbWGKo/s320/003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Xander (and Nick, his daddy) bought me these flowers. I didn't get a good shot of them, but they are pretty. One of the flowers got HUGE, then it slowly wilted, as they tend to do.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUvGXUOpQ6UzgHtIviBDs-VJa9t0YZpewMr-zbUPmUpYOOBjYH2CzkJyIUQOIf4HKrJf-2rHDKMxkr3IY7Ma9U6NUJgSw2mJFdo_ITvu1KlTSyuFkT0YTYnqAho0SVr8sA-n5Y_6oB5k/s1600-h/035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323066060959092994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUvGXUOpQ6UzgHtIviBDs-VJa9t0YZpewMr-zbUPmUpYOOBjYH2CzkJyIUQOIf4HKrJf-2rHDKMxkr3IY7Ma9U6NUJgSw2mJFdo_ITvu1KlTSyuFkT0YTYnqAho0SVr8sA-n5Y_6oB5k/s320/035.JPG" border="0" /></a> A flower cupcake!!! These were delivered to me at the house. Paul is one tricksy man, I tell you what! The card reads "Happy Birthday Mom. We love you very much. Nathan, Aaron and Xander". Obviously Paul got them on Saturday when he was "running errands" with the boys. That also explains the above mentioned mini-van. :)</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSgxkoJhNZZ59c8uzmMP-HlrDRg4tnECEVGPHjMcPcgQqJ4MA57ydHo0emeD8d01hJ6UldHd4X7KpRlRTkV7LOblRprjIjY0JbJfAm2RrBUSZYIP6jJnqrdjX-jI05H7f6QdaUnqN-Tk/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323066055907586834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSgxkoJhNZZ59c8uzmMP-HlrDRg4tnECEVGPHjMcPcgQqJ4MA57ydHo0emeD8d01hJ6UldHd4X7KpRlRTkV7LOblRprjIjY0JbJfAm2RrBUSZYIP6jJnqrdjX-jI05H7f6QdaUnqN-Tk/s320/017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Crazy Daisies!!! I love these! They are prettier today than when Mom and Dad brought them over to me on Monday night. They are doing very well! The water is tinted purple. I love how they are so bright, vibrant, full of life. AH! Refreshing, you know, after all the drab and blahs of winter. Yay Spring!!<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br />So there you have it. It seems like everyday I was getting something for my birthday. A card or two would straggle it. The flowers came all at different times. The van preceeded all. 27 is a good year to be, I guess. I was spoiled rotten!! </div><div> </div><div>I am so blessed to have the friends and family that I do. Without them, life would not be as grand as it is. Thanks to everyone who offered a birthday wish or greeting of any kind. It means the world to me. </div><div> </div><div>xoxo,</div><div>Mollie<br /></div><div></div>mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-83998092582391094372009-04-04T01:22:00.001-05:002009-04-04T01:25:59.837-05:00FFF - Beach<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGCaDOUpAX3EhQO-EdXiJH9pjOYtOV-FoS-M3eVJmCcrEySQyzgw7J2l17bXD_OXqHa_pKGIIL8jUeVito4Zxn05zW1hEkiemBa5vJjfFL6PKEc0gxqcA1-07A_19qExO2XYjaic9V3c/s1600-h/mdsea.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320718421535187154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGCaDOUpAX3EhQO-EdXiJH9pjOYtOV-FoS-M3eVJmCcrEySQyzgw7J2l17bXD_OXqHa_pKGIIL8jUeVito4Zxn05zW1hEkiemBa5vJjfFL6PKEc0gxqcA1-07A_19qExO2XYjaic9V3c/s320/mdsea.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hey, I haven't slept yet, so for me, this is my Friday night!! :) This pic is from a loooooong time ago; also, it is the closest that I have to a "Beach" pic. We were on a Dolphin cruise. We didn't see any dolphins but we had a cool boat ride. :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-59945892690643890752009-04-04T01:13:00.001-05:002009-04-04T01:13:43.817-05:00My first job: Library Page<p> I was a Page in the Children's Department at my local library. I was 15. I think I made $5.15 an hour or something rediculous like that. It was the easiest job I ever had. When people (patrons) returned their books, I would scan them back into the system, reshelve them, and straighten as I saw fit. Oh, I also had to clean the guinea pig cages. That stunk. Literally.</p><p style="clear:both; margin: 0; padding: 0; margin-top:10px; font-size: 13px; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px;" class="plinky_badge_rid:9160"> <a href="http://www.plinky.com/mini/reroute/9160"> <img src="http://www.plinky.com/proxy/badge?id=9160" style="border: 0; padding-right: 4px; vertical-align: middle;" alt="" title="" /> </a></p>mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-6338259334696405882009-04-04T01:05:00.001-05:002009-04-04T01:05:27.455-05:00Stuck in an elevator with Eddie Izzard <p><strong>Eddie Izzard</strong><br /> He's freakin hilarious!! Although, I may wet myself from laughing so hard... Can I bring an adult diaper, too?? lol</p> <br /><p style="clear:both; margin: 0; padding: 0; margin-top:10px; font-size: 13px; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px;" class="plinky_badge_rid:9159"> <a href="http://www.plinky.com/mini/reroute/9159"> <img src="http://www.plinky.com/proxy/badge?id=9159" style="border: 0; padding-right: 4px; vertical-align: middle;" alt="" title="" /> </a></p>mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-47072038431997183132009-04-01T10:06:00.001-05:002009-04-01T10:06:47.818-05:00Here, have a million dollars<p style="margin: 0; padding: 0 0 10px 0;"> If I am giving away a million dollars, the recipient would be someone who is in a definant need. I am thinking about all the third world countries who do not have clean running and drinking water or toilets, sanitary waste disposal methods. How about all of the places where the natives are without shoes and clothing. What about all the babies everywhere that die from malnutrition and diseases that could be avoided. These are the people that I would be looking at. It would be a hard decision, but ultimately, I feel that I would have to split the money between those countries and people who have the greatest need. Education would be another thing I would look into. If I give all this money to people, I would want them to know how to continue on the path I have led them on, not become stagnant.</p><p style="clear:both; margin: 0; padding: 0; margin-top:10px; font-size: 13px; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px;" class="plinky_badge_rid:8776"> <a href="http://www.plinky.com/mini/reroute/8776"> <img src="http://www.plinky.com/proxy/badge?id=8776" style="border: 0; padding-right: 4px; vertical-align: middle;" alt="" title="" /> </a></p>mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-23551342515189177912009-03-30T16:41:00.000-05:002009-03-30T16:52:27.080-05:00Surprise Party Success!!Yay! The party was a hit!! The birthday boy was totally surprised! Which, he explained later, was either because I hid everything very well or I didn't hide it at all, he isn't very good at noticing the obvious... Hmm... I don't know what to say to that.<br /><br />Planning this party was a reach for me. I am not a planner. I do not organize things well. It was totally a last-minute thing to get everyone and everything put together. Aryan and Kirby did most of the work. The party was graciously held at their house instead of mine. Only they know what it took to get the house ready. They even bought some "30" decorations that hung from the ceiling, not the cheap-o crepe paper stuff either, nice cardboard shiny things that twirled. Nice! I had fun trying to put a "30" into Phil's glasses. Bummer they wouldn't stay there... Anyway. They picked up the cake I ordered. It was by far the ugliest thing I have ever seen, but it tasted divine! Hopefully I will remember my colors the next time the baker calls to tell me that they do not have white whipped icing. Then I will not have a brown, blue and red cake. It was awfully grotesque! Like I said, I wanted white whipped, but had them substitute chocolate since they didn't have what I ordered. Side note: The bakery lady called me Saturday morning while Paul was in the room next to me. She told me they didn't have the white whipped, would I prefer buttercream? I said, "Well, I don't prefer it, but I guess." She rattled off the list of icing options and I chose the chocolate whipped. There wasn't a mention of cake colors and it totally escaped my mind until I saw the ugly thing. At least I only paid $14.00 for it. Julie made it a point to mention that for $2.00 she could have made me a cake that looked WAY better than that. Point taken. LOL<br /><br />I think everyone had a good time. I am a little concerned that my in-laws would have rather not seen my drunk friends play Rock Band, but other than that, I think everyone inv0lved was pleased with the turn out.<br /><br />I learned how to play a new game and I got re-united with another. All in all, it was a blast!mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-11530696302488582862009-03-28T13:51:00.000-05:002009-03-28T13:55:55.166-05:00Surprise!I am planning a surprise birthday party tonight for Paul, as he just turned 30 this past Wednesday. I am under the impression, as are his work buddies, that he has no idea what is going on. Tee hee hee, the plan is working!! :) I am so excited about tonight!!! My parents are watching the kids overnight (yay!!) so I have all night with him. More on this later; we shall see if my plan went off without a hitch... He is a smart man, there is a rather high chance that he is going to know something is up... We shall see, fellow bloggers. We shall see!<br /><br />If only I had a power cord for my silly camera! I would love to have pics of this!mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-17379394798572764572009-03-28T13:45:00.000-05:002009-03-28T13:50:50.494-05:00FFF - Unique<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1cMzoJBuuFTvTm4VVGZc0Oprkxaebn-kvX9pOuYYUZAU0R0AjUbWIytpkdVTdGrST5oZs6SSQP12GBXVykhhkK87Cc89focpTA5mdKThAHoYopwj7tPhFIUCKHQxsCe_dIiM4I67p8s/s1600-h/nathan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318311876273999026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1cMzoJBuuFTvTm4VVGZc0Oprkxaebn-kvX9pOuYYUZAU0R0AjUbWIytpkdVTdGrST5oZs6SSQP12GBXVykhhkK87Cc89focpTA5mdKThAHoYopwj7tPhFIUCKHQxsCe_dIiM4I67p8s/s320/nathan.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Okay, so today is Saturday, but my Fun Foto Friday pick is Nathan. He is the epitomy of unique. He has a certain style that I am sure I will never understand. As you can see by the silly sideways smirk, he is the "make you happy" kid. He tries to do anything and everything to make someone smile, laugh, and get over a bad mood. He is also the child that causes me the most grief, for the same reasons mentioned above. Please pray that Nathan and I will find a way to get along and love each other.</div>mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-39381742807878542692009-03-25T07:13:00.000-05:002009-03-25T07:21:48.372-05:00UniqueThe word unique reminds me of my 8th grade "recognition". We were recognized; we hadn't graduated, there is a difference.<br /><br />One of the teachers, Mr. Hoppe, stood in front of my class and the audience seated on the bleachers, and began his speech. I can't remember everything, but I do remember this: He said each one of us sitting in front of him was Special, Unique, and Different.<br /><br />My mom coined this phrase for me that night: "You are a SUD." She uses it from time to time even to this day.<br /><br />Mom also used to say, "Beautiful Daughter, yes!" To which I would reply with a sincere "No!" I didn't think I was, therefore, Mom should not be saying such things. But my mom is a wise woman; I have since learned that, yes, I am beautiful. It just took Mom saying it 30 times a day for the past 12 years for it to sink in. Love you, Mom. Always will.mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-17116071638251783312009-03-20T10:58:00.000-05:002009-03-20T11:01:12.782-05:00Picture Time!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoGn8sebYt2QpVvGHy5pmekKIObSSQ8jx8OWbltTXdBd-v4y42M0aVZdRO0MnZn41edsHmyuV7oEpsEKTbU5Ot_wMMCRQ25GtKNGG07PMsZ4LGYoSHcSaFk994UwbrfvTbxK0QithCGk/s1600-h/xander2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315300547463664546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoGn8sebYt2QpVvGHy5pmekKIObSSQ8jx8OWbltTXdBd-v4y42M0aVZdRO0MnZn41edsHmyuV7oEpsEKTbU5Ot_wMMCRQ25GtKNGG07PMsZ4LGYoSHcSaFk994UwbrfvTbxK0QithCGk/s320/xander2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16_BJJqNnE3_j0_sgv8gRrEtL-LY8wPEXd7Tb1-U5NbMf4z8ZlPymWvKwtxmAOwhgx1NrtPG11UICysX4bUCSwCL5gIE7xZ-lli4mGwA44YLHUjZ7s3Ffh4p6WnEdaVg2imVZve1GhWw/s1600-h/nathan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315300542259901042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16_BJJqNnE3_j0_sgv8gRrEtL-LY8wPEXd7Tb1-U5NbMf4z8ZlPymWvKwtxmAOwhgx1NrtPG11UICysX4bUCSwCL5gIE7xZ-lli4mGwA44YLHUjZ7s3Ffh4p6WnEdaVg2imVZve1GhWw/s320/nathan.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kU3j2ljR60eisrGaNnHAv4noKQRfzgwCxLHFabkxJ6BJP2PS_zdaSGfNccyrq1HnuEWnt1nHkeZ1Rxd7n36s9KByzmUI63BcFjNNhFxBoBHwXYopos0IL9EPU1FjMwlAqa9p2kxU7bw/s1600-h/aaron1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315300536390265810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kU3j2ljR60eisrGaNnHAv4noKQRfzgwCxLHFabkxJ6BJP2PS_zdaSGfNccyrq1HnuEWnt1nHkeZ1Rxd7n36s9KByzmUI63BcFjNNhFxBoBHwXYopos0IL9EPU1FjMwlAqa9p2kxU7bw/s320/aaron1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />VBS last summer at the Chapel. The kids had a great time.<br /><div></div></div></div>mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914752372258593572.post-79709807248648460352009-03-20T10:40:00.001-05:002009-03-20T10:40:39.339-05:00Seat me next to the irritating talker, please<p> I absolutely HATE it when people stare at me without rhyme or reason. At least SAY something! Maybe we could have a conversation!</p><p style="clear:both; margin: 0; padding: 0; margin-top:10px; font-size: 13px; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px;" class="plinky_badge_rid:6762"> <a href="http://www.plinky.com/mini/reroute/6762"> <img src="http://www.plinky.com/proxy/badge?id=6762" style="border: 0; padding-right: 4px; vertical-align: middle;" alt="" title="" /> </a></p>mollie.dirighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719520499279373390noreply@blogger.com1